“Some time back,” Stan began, “I got a registered letter. I had to go to the post office and sign for it as proof that I got it.”
“I remember that,” I said. “You used that letter to make a point about whether there is evidence of having received the Holy Spirit. [Note to reader: See Posting number 81, “Proof of Receipt”.]
“That’s right,” Stan replied. “Good remembering!”
“Not that it’s any of my business,” I said, “but you never told me what that registered letter was all about.”
“Well, “ Stan replied, “it was a notice for me to testify about a car crash I had witnessed. As you know, these things take a long time. Today is the day I’m supposed to go to court and testify.”
“Are you concerned?” I asked.
“About testifying? No, I’m not concerned about it. I will just say what I saw. One party or the other may try to get me to change what I say, but I know what I saw. I will just tell the truth.”
Continuing, he added, “It’s just like the personal testimony of my Christian witness. I am to tell people what I know to be the truth.”
“We have talked about the value of having a personal testimony,” I responded. “How it can really impact another person to hear what we have to say about how we came to faith, what our faith means to us, and things like that.”
“Exactly,” Stan replied. “Other people can accept or reject what I say, but I know it’s the truth, and I am to tell them whether or not they believe.”
“Didn’t the apostle John in his gospel write something along that line?” I asked.
“He did,” Stan replied. “Near the end of his gospel he said that the reason he wrote what he did was so that people would believe, and believing that they would have life.”
“Believing to have life,” I responded. “That’s a vital truth. But I wonder, does it ever hurt your feelings when people don’t accept what you say as the truth?”
“No,” Stan replied. “That’s up to them. I feel badly for them, but whether or not they believe is not up to me. My role is simply to tell the truth. Just like when I go to court today. I will tell the truth, but it’s not up to me whether the judge, the jury, or anyone else believes what I say.”
“With God,” he continued, “each person has a choice to believe or not to believe. I feel badly for those who do not accept the truth and miss out on everything they could have by believing. Everything for both sides of eternity, but that’s their choice, not mine.”
“My role,” Stan concluded, “is simply to tell the truth and leave the rest in God’s very capable hands!”
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Bible verses to consider:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. John 14:6.
If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John 8:31-32.
And he who has seen has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. John 19:35.
Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for showing me the truth of your love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for the truth of being able to spend eternity with you by accepting through faith your free and gracious gift of eternal salvation. All through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for leaving me on this side of eternity so I can testify to the truth so that others may believe. I confess that too often I do not take advantage of every opportunity to present to others the truth of all of your provision. Please help me in living and speaking the truth in every aspect of my life so that others may also see, believe, and have the life you intend for them on both sides of eternity. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the truth of God’s provision so that you have the assurance of spending eternity in His presence when it’s time? If no, why? If you do have the assurance of salvation, how are you doing in presenting to others the truth of God’s provision for them? As well as you would like? As well as God would like? If you sense some changes may be needed, how are those changes going to happen? Does the fear of rejection keep you from sharing the truth? If so, do you know that God can and will help you with that if you ask Him?
Waiting for the Train 