We conquer the world by believing that Jesus is the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5), that is, He is God. We believe in Jesus as Son of God by believing the testimony of the Spirit (1 Jn 5:6) and of the Father (1 Jn 5:9). "The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (1 Jn 5:11). Therefore, if we believe in the testimony of the Father and the Spirit concerning the Son, we have life (1 Jn 5:12), abundant life (Jn 10:10), and victory over the world. If we do not believe, we make God a liar (1 Jn 5:10) and deprive ourselves of life.
How do the Father and the Spirit testify on behalf of Jesus? The Father may speak audibly as He did at Jesus' Baptism (Mt 3:17), the Transfiguration (Mt 17:5), or on other occasions (e.g., Jn 12:28). Usually, the Father testifies for Jesus by His Word abiding in our hearts (Jn 5:37-38). The Spirit has testified for Jesus in the visible forms of a dove (Lk 3:22), a strong wind, and tongues as of fire (Acts 2:2-3). However, the Spirit usually comes invisibly.
The ways the Father and the Spirit testify on behalf of Jesus are not as important as our response to this testimony. The Trinity is testifying. Listen and believe.
| PRAYER: | Father, beginning this Christmas season, may I accept Your witness about Jesus so I can witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8). |
| PROMISE: | "Jesus stretched out His hand to touch Him and said, 'I do will it. Be cured.' Immediately the leprosy left him."–Lk 5:13 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus healed Maria of colon cancer. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College