SAT JUL 16 2022
THE INWARD WITNESS – Pastor Chris
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16 NKJV).
Our passion for preaching the Gospel is one thing that the world can’t stand; it troubles them. “How can people be so passionate about Jesus?” they wonder. But then, they try to wave it off on the premise that people are generally passionate about their religion. What they don’t realize is that ours is different; it’s more than a passion.
When comparing Christians with the religious people of the world (Christianity isn’t a religion), there’re three things to look at: the first is our passion, which can actually be compared with theirs. Then there’s also conviction: the religions of the world may have as much conviction as we do; but there’s something that we have that they don’t have and could never have: the inward witness. Hallelujah!
We have a witness within our spirit about Jesus! That’s what we read in our theme verse; it says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.” So, when we’re standing for Jesus Christ, we’re not just standing because we’re passionate; we’re not preaching the Gospel just because we’re convinced of His message. Rather, it’s because we have a witness within our spirit that truly, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, except by Him (John 14:6).
We have the witness in our spirit that now are we the sons of God. Deep down in our hearts, we know that we’re in fellowship with God and we have the Holy Spirit, and that we’re born again! These aren’t assumptions but vital and present-hour realities in our spirit. We have “inside information”, knowledge produced in us by the Holy Spirit that we’re born of God and forever victorious.
We’re different. What we have is not a religion. No matter how passionate and convinced people may be about their religion, there’s no salvation in any religion. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only saving message for the world. And thanks be unto God! We’re the custodians of this message of power by which God saves, heals, protects, delivers, preserves and prospers. We’re His witnesses. Hallelujah!
PRAYER / CONFESSION
Dear Father, thank you for making me a custodian of the Gospel of Christ; I pray that many who are yet to receive salvation will hear and receive the Gospel today, and be instantly transferred from the domain of darkness into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 John 5:10; 1 Corinthians 9:16