The Boldness We Have in Christ

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Watch Out for Deceivers

1 John 5:6-15  The Message

^6-8 Jesus—the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God’s presence at Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us. A triple testimony: the Spirit, the Baptism, the Crucifixion. And the three in perfect agreement.
^9-10 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son.
^11-12 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

^13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

 

For Reflection

 We often reflect on the nature of God as revealed in Jesus.  Knowing Jesus is knowing God.  However, in the life and death of Christ we also see a revelation in human kind.  Jesus is like us. Jesus had the capacity to choose goodness as do we.  Jesus encountered challenging situations which enticed him to act in his own self-interest and Jesus chose to act in God's image.  We have the capacity to do the same.  Look to Christ to find the potential for Godliness which resides in you.

Pray

for the courage to follow Christ.  Pray that you will grow in grace as a follower of Jesus Christ.  Pray that others will find in themselves the depth of love that is God.