“If I ever were to testify or speak for myself, it would
be meaningless.” John 5:31 EFP
What does Jesus mean when he says
this? After all, is he not speaking for
himself—testifying, even as he engages the group of chagrined guardians of the Jewish
faith? What makes his testimony
meaningful? What prevents his outrageous
claims from becoming meaningless even as he speaks them? His point is well taken—simply because I make
a claim does not make my claim valid.
His words are my indictment. My claim to know Jesus is meaningless. My testimony of the works of God in my life
are pointless. If all that supports my
witness are the words that I speak on my own behalf, I am a sad evidentiary specimen
indeed. This is the seldom spoken side
of the Christian life—the active faith that is evidenced by the way I live,
dare I say, the things I do. My deeds to
not add any merit to my life in terms of salvation. My deeds are the evidence that my life is
lived for someone other than myself. I do
not need to speak for myself or tout my spiritual credentials. I have no works of any salvific value. My merits are Christ’s merits. My good works are his. My testimony is his. My life is his…but is it really? Am I afraid of being dependent on God’s
leading and purposes for me? Lord, help me believe!
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