Friday, March 1, 2013

Friday, March 1 ~ tammi

Today's Bible In a Year reading: Numbers 1-2; Psalm 44; Mark 16
Today's scripture focus passage: 1 John 5:6-8 ~

"This is the one who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."

Accompanying MacArthur sermon: The Witness of God, Part 1
and Driscoll sermon: Epistles of John, Part 12


Happy March!!  So, is it in like lamb or a lion where you are?  I'm under no illusions that the worst of the snowfall is behind us; I'm just happy that the worst of the COLD is!!

Okay, so, this is a kind of confusing passage.  Quite honestly, to me it seems a little circular.  I don't really understand how this proves anything.  I don't mean to sound like I doubt the Word of God, I just don't understand how this argument is supposed to be helpful.

But maybe that's exactly BECAUSE I don't doubt the Word of God.  When one is already convinced, one doesn't require hearing further argument.

One statement in MacArthur's sermon really stood out for me and kinda sums up, I believe, what John is getting at throughout this whole book:

This is the witness of God concerning His Son. This is the testimony of God. Down in verse 10, "The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself." That is if you believe Jesus Christ to be who the Father says He is, you have received God's testimony.

And maybe that summarizes neatly the lack of need for argument as to who Jesus is.  Because we believe, we have received God's testimony about Himself.  And because we have received God's testimony about Himself, we believe.  (More circles!)

MacArthur actually does a really good job of tracing the testimony of God regarding His Son, Jesus Christ, throughout the Scriptures. What other witness could be more convincing?!






Tomorrow's Bible In a Year reading: Numbers 3-4
Monday's scripture focus passage: 1 John 5:9-12

2 comments:

Tammy said...

I found it interesting that MacArthur pointed out that the OT demanded the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deut 17:6) to establish truth, and so here was have three testimonies - the water (Jesus' baptism), the blood (death) and the Spirit.

The OT points towards Jesus, the NT is the fulfillment of that promise and the revelation of His second coming. The fact that Jesus fulfills all the OT prophecy so specifically is tremendous testimony.

The whole circular argument you mention is also, I believe, indicative of election. We could not believe without the Holy Spirit prompting our belief.

tammi said...

Haha, I had that same thought, Tammy!