January 22, 2023
Are You a Credible Witness?
“I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34 (NASB)
In a court of law, witnesses are often called to the bench to testify in a particular case. These witnesses are vetted prior to the trial to determine if their testimony is needed. In each particular witness, whether for the defense or the prosecution it may be critical. For the opposing sides, the witness selected should bear some weight for the particular side of the bench being called. Whether for the prosecution or the defense, the witness must have seen something before they can testify. Otherwise, the witness should not be there. If you didn’t see anything, you shouldn’t testify. It is speculative. John the Baptist saw, and he testified as to what he had seen.
In this passage, John the Baptist witnessed or ‘seen’, the sign which indicated the Messiah had come. This came as “the Spirit descended from heaven like a dove…” (verse 32). Whatever form God chose to use is His own. He clearly communicated it to John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22). When John the Baptist saw this event, John the Apostle of this letter, uses an interesting word “remaining” in verse 32 to provide more detail. This Greek word menō means “to stay, abide, remain.” It is used 35 times in the New Testament. Each time it involves someone or something “staying.” John the Baptist would have seen the Spirit of God “like a dove” (vs. 32), not for a split second, but it would have remained there for him to clearly see. This way, his testimony would be clear and convincing by the presence and power of God.
Many times, in court where witnesses testify, the event they see could be for a split second. This allows the one who is cross-examining an opportunity to pry deeper into what the witness actually saw. As times goes by in the case the opposing attorney might begin to try to punch holes into their testimony. Their aim is to possibly discredit the witness’ testimony and push it aside as non-credible testimony. John didn’t have this experience though. His experience was credible. It was life changing for him and the world to come. It brought hope for the world waiting on the Messiah. He had arrived.
As I speak to people today, I often hear them tell me that they know God. When it comes to cross-examining their faith, I find that many really are not sure what they saw or experienced. Their testimony becomes non-credible. Why? I think the event was something that they really were not sure of what happened. They believed what someone told them was a real experience with God and led to their salvation. I’ve heard stories like this, “Me and old man upstairs have an agreement,” or, “I feel like I am a Christian because I am a good person and surely God will credit that.” These are those who have not had that testifying event where God remained with them. Their lives are not changed, and their desire to know Him has never moved beyond that day they had the experience.
If God were to cross-examine your life today, could He punch holes into your salvation? Would your testimony look like a drive through experience where your desires were met for that event and then nothing ever transpired from there? If so, I encourage you today to take a hard look. Take time. Observe the event. Ask Him to do a cross-examination of your life. It will be worth your eternity here on earth and beyond. If you are certain that you are His, help those who may have a lot of questions. Then help them secure theirs so the enemy doesn’t discredit theirs!