Dear Friends in Christ,

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth – so help you God?” I’ve never testified in a trial, but from what I’ve seen many times on TV, the actual oath is close to that. I understand that to be a witness you must also have knowledge of the events, be competent, and make that oath. Then, your testimony becomes evidence to support one side or the other. But if your testimony is false, your perjury can cause you to lose your freedom. 

While a trial is definitely different than our faith, we still testify. Through witnesses, God has given us testimony about who Jesus is and what He did. These witnesses, the Apostles, experienced firsthand everything Jesus said and did. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they recorded their testimony for us to hear so we might “believe in the name of the Son of God that (we) may know that (we) have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). 

Because their testimony dwells within us, we are God’s children. As His children, we’re called to follow in the Apostles’ footsteps by offering our own testimony about Jesus (1 John 5:10a). While the world may make different testimonies about who Jesus is and what He came to do, that testimony is not true. Just like someone who lies under oath is guilty of perjury – and will lose their freedom in prison – those who do not or won’t make a true testimony about Jesus due to unbelief will also lose their freedom in the eternal prison of hell (1 John 5:11-12).

However, God desires that all His creatures hear the truth of His testimony so they may turn away from the world’s lies and become His children through faith in Christ. So let us share our testimony of God with others. Let us tell others, through words and deeds, how God has freed us from sin and given us life. That they too might have life with us.

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim