In The Word
Read: John 3:22-36
John’s Last Testimony
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
One of the things John testified here is that Yahshua is from heaven, is above all things, and speaks the very words from heaven. All who believe in the Son of the Father have eternal life. Those who do not obey the Son will not see life. The wrath of God will dwell on them. John brought forth an important truth that our obedience to the Son determines if we really believe in Him.
Before I was saved, I would proclaim that I was a Christian and that I believed in Christ, but my disobedience to all He asked of me proved that I really was not. My actions did not back up my words. Maybe you say out of your mouth that you love God and know that you will go to heaven one day, but have you truly made Him your Lord? Once we are born again, God will continue to speak to us and convict us of sin in our life. Then, if we truly love Him, we will choose to repent and turn from that sin.
Since I have been saved, God has continued to put His finger on different areas in my life. Once He highlights an area, it is up to me to be obedient. I encourage you today to continue to be obedient and show your love to Him. In life, you will never regret a day of obedience to anything He asks of you, but you will regret a day of disobedience. Remember, He works for the good of those that love Him!