In today’s world there is the same hot debate which has been ongoing for the last 2000 years. This debate centers around the question “Is Jesus really the Son of God and Savior of the world”? There are many who openly and boldly dispute the claim of Holy Scripture that Jesus truly is the Son of God, who came into this world in the flesh to live a sinless life, suffer persecution, die a horrible death on a cross for the forgiveness of the sins of all-mankind, and then rise from the dead three days later defeating sin, death, and the power of the devil. These naysayers are adamant in their attempt to prove such teachings and beliefs are nothing more than fallacies and fairytales drummed up, by a group of radicals called Christians, for the purpose of manipulating and controlling the lives of people. To non-believers it appears to be nothing more than a form of brainwashing.
The Apostle John gives credence to the Bible’s claims about this historical and biblical figure who is the focus of centuries of controversy and confrontation. This is he who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:6-13
Shakespeare had a statement that has been passed down through the centuries which a portion of his quote is somewhat applicable here in this devotion: “To be or not to be, that is the question.” To be a believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world, or to be one who does not accept this truth of God’s Word, is a very important question. For the answer a person gives is literally a matter of life and death. And, I do not mean just earthly life or death fellow saints, but that which is eternal. May we be faithful to hear and believe the message of the Gospel and then be willing to boldly stand on and proclaim its truth! Pastor McCarty