Yesterday I brought up the theme “Blood and Water Flowed” as a retreat my bride and I led this year. Today I want to start talking about the witnesses to Jesus we spoke about there. Again, this was the passage that guided our thoughts:

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.

Blood and Water, the things mentioned throughout Scripture, the things that flowed from Jesus side as He was pierced by that spear while hanging on the cross where He laid down His life for you…these are the things of which the Spirit of God testifies and uses in powerful ways to cleanse and sanctify and forgive us. And don’t forget that the Spirit of God is truly God. He was present and part of creation, present and part of the Baptism of our Lord, promised by Jesus to His disciples, poured out on Pentecost and through the proclamation of God’s Word. God Himself is present with us still, testifying to the truth of the forgiveness and life and salvation that are ours and given through means of blood and water. This is the message the Spirit of God preserved for us by leading men to write His Word.

The Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus is the Son of God in two very important ways: (1) The Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism (Jn 1:32–34), and (2) he continues to confirm in the hearts of believers the apostolic testimony that Jesus’ baptism and death verify that he is the Christ, the Son of God (2:27; 1Co 12:3).

2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

It is God Himself, the Holy Spirit, who gives us His message. There will be false prophets who try to point us to someone or something other than Jesus. The Spirit warns us about this.

1 John 4:1-3  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

False prophets will downplay and even deny Jesus Christ as Lord and God and Savior. A true prophet will reflect Jesus Christ in what He says and what He does. And here is the message you need to hear: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. That is acknowledging Jesus Christ, believing and saying that He took the price of sin upon Himself and paid it in full with His sacrifice of Himself on a cross. Jesus rose again to announce His victory that He shares with any and all who will put their faith in Him. He invites you to be His children and live a new life, in His power, a life that wants to obey His laws in response to the forgiveness He has already given you. Your life will not be free from pain and suffering, but you will have the certainty of God’s love, His forgiveness, and eternal salvation.

The Spirit of God continues to testify to this truth still today and will do so until our Lord returns.