God's Work "Our Witness"

Have you ever been challenged to show your credentials?    It is difficult when we have intense interrogations on our authority, experience, knowledge, or wisdom.   We are often put on the spot to defend ourselves in this performance driven world and to validate “if we’re good enough.”

In the fifth chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus is under intense interrogation from the religious leaders of the day on his credentials and the proof of his identity.   Jesus begins his reply to them with such wisdom that we should learn to follow.

First, words alone are never enough.   The most beautiful words and eloquent speech will fall flat without works that validate these words.  Jesus points the religious leaders to his desire to do the works that His Father has sent him to do.  The blind having their sight restored, the lame walking, the broken and outcasts being restored.  These acts of compassion and love were the ultimate witness and testimony that the Father had sent him.  The love He put into action spoke louder than any religious debate.

Secondly, Jesus turns the mirror on the religious leaders.   He clearly states that they diligently search the Scriptures and their knowledge of the letters are their eternal life.   The letters have replaced the love behind them.   They have chosen the letters over love.

Finally, Scripture and the inspired Word of God is our witness.   But our lives must reflect the message of the scripture.  We must put God’s love letter into action.  If our lives are void of compassion our testimony becomes quiet.  The world is rarely converted by our arguments, it it moved by our love.

Be the continuation of Jesus’ ministry this week.  When you extend grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it, you are bearing witness to God’s mercy.  When you hold the hand of the lonely, reach out to those who are broken and hurting, you are finishing the “works” which the Father has given us.    Your acts of compassion are the reflection of God’s love.  These acts are the tangible proof to a cynical world that Jesus is alive and transforming hearts today.    May you dwell in His Word this week and may your works reflect Him. If you do this your “light will surely shine the pure reflection of our gracious God”