Holy Spirit’s Work

Today’s Gospel Text:  If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; 32 there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. 39 You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men. 42 But I know that you have not the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" John 5:31-47

Reflection: There is a great need in our times to live up to the mandate to spread the gospel through great signs and wonders and thus also go about our duty as Christians of proclaiming the gospel of our Lord.

There are some who cannot fulfill the demands of the gospel and may thus oppose this idea. They may give all sorts of excuses on why one should not encourage signs and wonders or will kill the very idea with a theological weapon based on contextualized reasoning’s.  

The mere preaching of the gospel minus the accompanying signs and wonders in the life of the preacher is like driving a vehicle without the headlights in the dark. 

But someone may say; what is important is the witness of life! 

Without dispute; what is that witness of life, if not accompanied with signs and wonders.

Jesus brings out this aspect of the truth very powerfully in this passage of the gospel when he says:

If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. (vs. 31-32)

Who is this other, if not the Holy Spirit who accompanies the work of Jesus with signs and wonders, grace and mercy.

Hence Jesus is not alone and does not just bear testimony to himself. If he did that then it would have been false, but there is another that bears testimony to Jesus and his testimony is true and that is the Holy Spirit.

We too need that someone else, each one of us as Christian have been given the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Christ and this Holy Spirit needs to accompany our witness of the truth of Christ, then will our testimony be true.

Then will we be true witnesses; witnessing with our lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

But some scuttle the work of God witnessing with the devils envy and by being jealous about these instruments of God.

Prayer:  Lord, may my heart be open to the witness that the Holy Spirit is able to accomplish as I seek to be your instrument.

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