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In the Word

    by Chuck Livermore

John's Witness: The True Light
Date Posted: February 24, 2009

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1: 6-13 NKJV

John the Baptizer had a very important mission. He was a witness. He couldn’t make anyone receive the Light that was sent. It wasn’t in his job description to make them receive Him. He was only a witness. But a witness is a very important job. Even though many did not believe his testimony, he was a good witness.

You and I are to be witnesses also. If no one believes, you haven’t failed as a witness. You do your job if you give the testimony that God has given you. If they don’t receive it . . . well, many did not receive John’s testimony either. But those who receive it have the right to become children of God.

What about you? Have you received someone’s testimony about the Light. That Light is Jesus. He’s the one we sing about at Christmas who came from heaven. He became the baby lying in the manger. He grew and lived among us. No matter how good you are, you aren’t as good as Him. No one is. You see, He lived his entire life without sin. Everything He did was approved by God. You’ve done things that God detests, and you have no right to call yourself a child of God. You will die because you have disobeyed God, no matter how insignificant your disobedience seems. No matter how much better you have been than others, you have not been good enough to merit eternal life.

But there’s a divine catch-22 of which you can take advantage. Since Jesus did nothing that God didn’t approve, He didn’t deserve to die. He didn’t have sin in His life that caused His death, He gave up His life willingly because He gave it to you. No just you, but to everyone that receives Him. How do you receive Him? Just believe on His name as the one who did what you could not: live a life of which God approves. That gives Him the right to give His life for yours. That’s how you can be born of God and become His child.

I know the previous two paragraphs are true, because that’s what happened to me. I didn’t deserve life, but I received life by believing on Him. That’s the testimony I’ve been called to give. Start today with a new life, not the kind that comes from your mother and father, but the kind that comes from your heavenly Father.

Copyright 2006 by Chuck Livermore

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Biography Information:
Chuck Livermore's knowledge of the word is the result of a lifetime of study and reading. He is part of Galilee South Community Church, a multi-ethnic congregation in South Denver. He attended Wayland Baptist University and has participated in world evangelism through research of unreached peoples.
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