The Testimony of God

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, I say to you what you already know:  it is the holy season – the most wonderful time of the year.  It is that time of year where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus, we will see John say, is the u003cemu003etestimony u003c/emu003eof God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe Testimony of Godu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennA testimony, we should know, stands as a witness; it is a solemn declaration usually made orally by a u003cemu003ewitnessu003c/emu003e; a u003cemu003efirsthand authenticationu003c/emu003e.  Those that sell a service or products love to have others give a testimony about their service as a means to u003cemu003econvince u003c/emu003eothers to give their service a try.  Testimonies u003cemu003ebuild trustu003c/emu003e as they act as u003cemu003eendorsements u003c/emu003eas they are a form of u003cemu003eproofu003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eGod’s eternal promiseu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, when we consider what a testimony is, and that Jesus is the testimony of God, it should make us wonder, why did God need a testimony?  What is His service?  What was it that Jesus testified of?  Let’s give this some thought for a moment.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIf we go back to the garden, we know the desire that the Lord had for mankind.  God created mankind with the intent for us to be u003cemu003efruitful u003c/emu003e(prosper) and to multiply (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+1%3A27-28u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 1:27-28u003c/au003e). God created mankind with the u003cemu003edesire u003c/emu003eto dwell with us u003cemu003eforeveru003c/emu003e, but unfortunately, mankind fell to the deceptions of Satan; we ended up going against the Lord’s desires by becoming sinners – people the Lord would u003cemu003enever u003c/emu003edwell with.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis fact is shown to us in u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+59%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIsaiah 59:2u003c/au003e, where it is stated that the iniquities of man separates us from the Lord.  In that verse, we are told that Israel, because of their sins, God hid His face from them.  Not only did God hide His face from Israel, but He also did not hear them.  This, again, was not something that God desired to do – He u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/reconciled-peace-of-mind/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229173u0022u003edid u003cemu003enotu003c/emu003e desire to be separatedu003c/au003e from mankind.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, after mankind’s fall in the garden, there was a promise made by the Lord with a certain desire in mind.  In Genesis 3, we see that God promised to destroy Satan and sin (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+3%3A14-15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 3:14-15u003c/au003e).  Why did God make a promise to destroy Satan and sin?  It was because He still had the desire to dwell with mankind.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo Noah, after the great flood, God promised never to destroy mankind; God’s eternal desire was in mind (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+9%3A12-17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 9:12-17u003c/au003e).  When the Lord sought to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He spoke with Abraham about His desire to u003cemu003esave u003c/emu003ethose who were righteous (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+18%3A16-33u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 18:16-33u003c/au003e).  To His chosen king, David, God promised that one would sit on an u003cemu003eeverlasting throneu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Sam.+7%3A13u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Sam. 7:13u003c/au003e) and be king over those that were righteous; God kept that promise even after David’s great sin and the great sin of Israel and Judah.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eShowing the proofu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, when we ask why did the Lord need to provide a testimony of Himself, the answer would be because of sin and His desire to save us, mankind from sin.  God needed to convince u003cemu003eus u003c/emu003eto turn away from wickedness for something – a way – that was u003cemu003efar u003c/emu003ebetter.  In order to convince us to do so, He needed to send a witness with first hand authentication of His eternal promise.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDid He send an angel to give a testimony of His heavenly kingdom?  No.  Gabriel did come to announce the coming of the one that would testify of God’s eternal promise, but Gabriel did not necessarily testify of eternity to mankind.  The writer of Hebrews stated it best when they wrote that the Lord sent u003cemu003egreateru003c/emu003e than an angel to testify of His eternal desire for mankind (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.+1%3A5-14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eHeb. 1:5-14u003c/au003e). God gave the world His u003cemu003eonly begotten u003c/emu003eSon to testify of Himself and His heavenly kingdom.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, how great of a testimony could the Son of God give to mankind?  I would say He could give better than a 5-star review – His testimony could be trusted!  Jesus, the Word of God, came directly u003cemu003efrom u003c/emu003eeternity with His testimony (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 1:1u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennChrist, John said, came by water and blood (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:6u003c/au003e).  Blood, as you would figure, is representative of the flesh which the Word was made (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 1:14u003c/au003e).  Water, on the hand, Jesus taught Nicodemus spoke to life of the Spirit.  Jesus said to Nicodemus that unless one is born of water and Spirit they cannot enter the kingdom of God (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A3-6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 3:3-6u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennChrist coming by water and blood signified that Jesus was both of the flesh but was also of the Spirit – He was holy and divine. In other words, there could be no better witness of heaven!  Jesus, as we know, was God in the flesh.  So, I would ask:  u003cemu003eWhou003c/emu003e could be a better witness of heaven than the Lord?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe Testimony of God Rejectedu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYet, many have u003cemu003eand still do u003c/emu003ereject the testimony of God.  In his first letter, Peter touched on the thought of the testimony of God being rejected by mankind.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe chief cornerstone rejectedu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter quoted scripture from the book of Psalms (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.+118%3A22u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ePs. 118:22u003c/au003e) and Isaiah (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+8%3A14%3B+28%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 8:14; 28:16u003c/au003e) when he quoted, “ ‘Behold, I (God) lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, u003cemu003eelectu003c/emu003e, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious, but to those who are u003cemu003edisobedientu003c/emu003e, ‘The stone which the builders u003cemu003erejected u003c/emu003ehas become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘u003cemu003ea stone of stumblingu003c/emu003e and a rock of offense (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Pet.+2%3A6-8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Pet. 2:6-8u003c/au003e).’ ”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWho is the chief cornerstone that the Lord laid in Zion that was rejected?  Jesus identifies u003cemu003eHimself u003c/emu003eas the chief cornerstone that was rejected and had become a stone of stumbling (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+21%3A41-42u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 21:41-42u003c/au003e).  Why was Jesus, the testimony of God, rejected?  Why was He rejected during His days, Peter days, and now during our days?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter, within that same passage of scripture, said that those who stumble, stumble being u003cemu003edisobedientu003c/emu003e to the word, to which they also were appointed.  So, to answer the question, many choose to reject the testimony of God because they would rather adhere to their own word rather than God’s word.  People are disobedient to the word of God because they believe u003cemu003ethey know better u003c/emu003ethan Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, imagine this:  believing you know more about a product you have never used compared to one who has used a product and left a testimony.  Imagine this:  believing you know more about a restaurant you have never been to compared to one who has actually been to it.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHow could we ever reject the testimony of God believing that we know more than Christ who came from heaven and can testify of it first hand?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+8%3A14-20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIsaiah 8:14-20u003c/au003e, we will see where the Lord spoke through Isaiah about mankind’s stumbling and rejection of His testimony.  Rather than binding up the testimony of God in their hearts and waiting on the Lord, Israel, u003cemu003ein their own wisdomu003c/emu003e, chose to seek mediums and wizards!  Is that what you do today?  Would you seek mediums and wizards over the testimony of God?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe Lord asked, “should not a people seek their God?”  God is all powerful, all knowing, and is everywhere at all times, so, it would certainly make the most sense that if you have the ear of God, you would consult Him first over anything or anybody else!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, the truth of the matter is that many of us would rather consult and seek the council of “mediums and wizards” over the Lord.  u003cemu003eFoolishlyu003c/emu003e, many of us would rather follow after the testimony of a fool – false reports, doctrines, and conspiracies  – over the testimony of God because apparently man knows better than the one who created him!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat good does it do to disregard and ignore the word of God for foolishness?  The answer: it does no good; it only leads to destruction.  So, God gave us His testimony u003cemu003ein the flesh u003c/emu003eto convince and turn us away from the testimony of fools for a way of strength and life (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+10%3A29-30u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 10:29-30u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eGod’s testimony rejected in the fleshu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI encourage you today that it is the perfect season for you to turn to the Lord and His u003cemu003esaving u003c/emu003etestimony if you have not done so already.  Some say that if the Lord came before them and showed them heaven, and His great works, they would believe in Him.  Yet, again, we know that the testimony of God has been rejected even when it stood before mankind in the flesh.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn Matthew’s gospel, Jesus expressed this thought to us through the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+21%3A33-44u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 21:33-44u003c/au003e).  In this parable, Jesus spoke of a landowner that had planted a vineyard that he leased out to some vinedressers.  The landowner is representative of the Lord and the vinedressers were representative of Israel.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen vintage time came around, the landowner desired to collect the fruit of the vineyard (Matt. 21:33-34).  So, the landowner sent his servants to collect the fruit but the vinedressers took his servants and dealt harshly with them.  Jesus said that vinedressers beat one servant, killed one, and stoned another (Matt. 21:35).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe landowner then sent another group of servants to collect from the vinedressers and again, the vinedressers beat one, killed one, and stoned another.  By dealing harshly with the servants, let’s understand that the vinedressers were being incredibly ungrateful for what the owner had given them.  This pattern spoke to how the Lord was reaching out to the children of Israel about His desire for them but they were ungrateful; they responded by repeatedly rejecting the prophets sent by God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, after the vinedressers had dealt so harshly with the landowner’s servants, we are told that the landowner then sent his son with the belief that the vinedressers would u003cemu003erespectu003c/emu003e his son and not deal harshly with him (Matt. 21:37).  However, the vinedressers were so caught up in their wicked ways that they also dealt harshly with Him; they rejected and killed him with the belief that they would be able to seize his inheritance (Matt. 21:38).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus made it clear that He was the son that He was being antagonized while testifying of the Lord by doing all kinds of good throughout the land.  God sent His testimony through His only begotten Son because man was u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003elistening to anybody else!  If they did not listen to anybody else, the hope was that they would listen to His Son.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLet us consider the testimony that was rejected:  Jesus, in person, testified of God’s love; Jesus testified of God’s mercy and forgiveness; Jesus testified that the Lord truly desired to dwell with mankind u003cemu003eforever u003c/emu003eas He preached that He would show mankind the way to heaven u003cemu003eif u003c/emu003ewe believe.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou have heard me express to you how troubled I am at u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/he-is-the-lord-our-god/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229958u0022u003ethe ungratefulness of manu003c/au003e when it comes to all that God has done for us.  The fact that the Lord gave us His testimony u003cemu003ein the flesh u003c/emu003ecombined with the fact that God still desires to dwell with each of us u003cemu003eafter u003c/emu003ewe have lived in sin for so long should not be mocked or taken for granted.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe ought to be thankful for God’s love!  We ought to be thankful for God’s testimony!  We ought to be thankful for all that the Lord has done rather than be ungrateful.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eBlind to the testimony of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe Jews were ungrateful and they ended up stumbling because of their disobedience.  Their disobedience caused them to go u003cemu003eblind u003c/emu003eto the testimony of God that stood right before them.  Many stumble over the testimony of God today because of their disobedience.  There are many that go blind to the testimony of God because of u003cemu003e‘their wisdom’ u003c/emu003eand the belief that they know better.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAfter the Son, God has sent into the highways the message of His testimony through preachers, teachers, and all who join in ministering God’s gospel of love, mercy, and salvation.  Yet, the genuine ministering of the testimony of God is met head on with those that seek to challenge the wisdom of God with the intellect of man.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennFor example:  at this time of year we celebrate the birth and manifestation of Christ who brought God’s testimony from heaven to man but it is now met with mockery, bitterness, and even disgust.  The birth of Christ, because of man’s wisdom, has become the greatest stone of stumbling.  Some suggest God coming in the flesh to be too impossible because there is u003cemu003eno proof u003c/emu003eof Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe witness of the testimony of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus would disagree with such a thought as He made it clear that He had one that could bear witness of Him.  When accused of not being able to prove His divinity, Jesus said, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going … I am One who bears witness of Myself, and u003cemu003ethe Father u003c/emu003ewho sent Me bears witness of Me (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A14%2C18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 8:14,18u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIf the witness of the Father is not good enough for you, John writes that there is another that bears witness of Christ.  After His resurrection and ascension, this other one came from heaven to dwell in the u003cemu003ehearts u003c/emu003eof those that genuinely believe in the Son.  The Holy Spirit, Comforter, came from heaven to dwell in the hearts of believers and stand as a witness to the testimony of God in Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus told the disciples that bearing witness of Christ is the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  “He (the Holy Spirit) will glorify Me,” Jesus said, “for He will take of what is Mine and u003cemu003edeclare it u003c/emu003eto you (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 16:14u003c/au003e).”  John, remembering exactly what Christ taught him about the Holy Spirit, stated that it is the Spirit who u003cemu003ebears witness u003c/emu003eof the testimony of God because the Spirit is truth (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:6u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eConfident in the Testimony of Godu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat has the Spirit testified to us?  The Spirit has testified that God u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003elove!  The Spirit has testified that through our faith in Christ we have victory over sin, Satan, and death!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennGod has given us His testimony – His proof – of His eternal desire through His Son, and now through the Holy Spirit, to convince us to believe in Him.  So, the onus is now on us, not God, to look at Jesus’ testimony – His review – and either believe it or not.  As David said, u003cemu003eIu003c/emu003e, personally, have sought the Lord and He heard me, and He delivered me from all of my troubles (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.+34%3A4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ePs. 34:4u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI listened to Christ, gave the Lord a try, and saw that what Jesus said was true!  For all of you that may be questioning the Lord today, understand that Jesus is the best one to give a review of the Lord.  Listen to Jesus’ testimony and then give the Lord a try!  I want you to know that we can be u003cemu003econfident u003c/emu003ein the testimony that came from Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe threefold witness to the testimony of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe can be confident because we have threeu003cemu003e in heavenu003c/emu003e that bear witness to the testimony of God (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:7u003c/au003e).  John writes that we have the Father who testified of His promises through the prophets.  Secondly, we have the Son who testified of the eternal promise face to face.  Thirdly, we have the Holy Spirit that bears witness of the testimony – this is God in three persons working in unity to convince the world.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe also have three u003cemu003eon earthu003c/emu003e that bear witness to the testimony of God.  On earth, we, again, have the Holy Spirit that works to convince us of the truth in our hearts.  Secondly and thirdly, we have the water and the shed blood of Christ; these three, John wrote, agree as one (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:8u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJohn then stated, “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A9u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:9u003c/au003e).”  The witness of men, we must consider, can be corrupted because of our sinful nature.  Therefore, the witness of man can be fallible because we are fallible creatures.  If you, on occasion, would believe a fallible witness, surely you can believe the witness of one who knows no lies and is perfect!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs I consider my life, the many prayers I have prayed, and have seen how the Lord has moved on my behalf, u003cemu003eI know u003c/emu003ethat the testimony of God is certainly true and that you can be u003cemu003econfident u003c/emu003ein it.  John wrote, “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A14-15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 5:14-15u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAll of this is true, thanks be to God for giving us His testimony through His only begotten Son.  So, this holiday season, I again encourage you to look at the testimony of God u003cemu003ethrough Christu003c/emu003e and give Him a try.  You will see that the Lord truly is good and the absolute best gift you will ever find.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e