Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 John 5:5-9.

“Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;  not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.  It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  For there are three that testify:  the Spirit and the water and the blood;  and the three are in agreement.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater;  for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.”  1 John 5:5-9.   

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In today’s devotion, first, some Scriptures will be presented that “the Spirit and the water and the blood” testify that Jesus is the Son of God.   Second, some Scriptures will be presented of the testimony of men that Jesus is the Son of God.  Third, some Scriptures will be presented of the words and actions by God the Father that “He has testified concerning His Son.” 

First, we see the Spirit and the water in this Scripture.  “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,”  Matthew 3:16. 

We see the water and blood in this Scripture.  “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.  And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;  and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.”  John 19:34-35. 

Second, we see the testimony of men that Jesus is the Son of God in the very beginning of the book of 1 John.   

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—  and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us;  and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”  1 John 1:1-3.

“The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.  To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”  Acts 1:1-3.

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:30-31.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;  then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;  and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”  1 Corinthians 15:3-8. 

Third, we see the words and actions by God the Father that “He has testified concerning His Son.”  

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;  and behold, the heavens were opened, … and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”  Matthew 3:16-17.

“Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves.  And He was transfigured before them;  and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.  …  Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”  Mark 9:2-3 and 7.

“Therefore IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:22-25.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.