Today I continue our new series entitled, “Power of Fellowship.” In this series we will study how we can be ONE with God and also ONE with man. Right now I am teaching on being ONE with God. We have looked at statements Jesus made in John 5 and John 6. Today we will go to John 8.
Jesus said, “I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.” The Pharisees were immediately offended and said, “You’re just boasting about yourself! Since we only have your word on this, it makes your testimony invalid!” Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn’t mean they’re invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I’m saying. For you’ve set yourselves up as judges of others based on outward appearances, but I certainly never judge others in that way. For I discern the truth. And I am not alone in my judgments, for my Father and I have the same understanding in all things, and he has sent me to you. “Isn’t it written in the law of Moses that the testimony of two men is trustworthy? Then what I say about who I am is true, for I am not alone in my testimony—my Father is the other witness, and we testify together of the truth.” Then they asked, “Just who is this ‘Father’ of yours? Where is he?” Jesus answered, “You wouldn’t ask that question if you knew who I am, or my Father. For if you knew me, you would recognize my Father too.” (John 8:12-20 TPT)
Under The Law the testimony or “witness” of a single person did not hold much weight. In Deuteronomy 17:7 it states that a person could not be sentenced to death by the testimony of a lone witness. To make this type of decision, a judge required the testimony of two or three witnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15 says something similar. It says, “A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Under the Jewish custom of the day, which was obviously based in The Law, any claims a person made had to be validated by at least one other person. If the person did not have external validation, the claim was considered invalid.
In John 8 Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. At other times He claimed to be the Son of God. The Jewish religious leadership confronted Jesus and called His claims “invalid” because He did not have someone else to validate what He was saying. Jesus responded by making it clear that He did. Jesus’ second witness was The Father Himself.
Basically, Jesus was saying, “When you hear me speak, you think my claims are singular. But they are not. I and my Father are ONE. The Father is in full agreement with everything I say, because I only say what He tells me to say. So if you are looking for a second witness to validate my claims, you need look no further than God Himself. God is my witness. He is my Father and He will validate everything I say.” Wow. This is the type of fellowship Jesus had with the Father and this is the type of fellowship we are supposed to have today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Your relationship with the Father is supposed to be so strong, that you can rely on Him to backup everything you say. Because you are only saying what you believe He told you to say.
2. When you saying what God is telling you to say, God Himself will be your validation!
3. When you launch out to do and say whatever the Father is leading you to do and say, He will be your stamp of approval. God Himself will put His hand on you and He will do it in such a way that people who operate in spiritual discernment will know it is God.
4. If you know you are doing the will of the Father, and people without spiritual discernment question or challenge you, you don’t have to concern yourself with their opinions. Jesus knew that the Pharisees could not understand what He was doing, because they did not know God. So He did not seek their approval. He only sought the approval of His Heavenly Father. As a believer today, God can place people in your life who are filled with the Holy Spirit to help validate your intentions, but you don’t need to concern yourself with proving anything to those you don’t know God. If you start changing your direction to please them, you will become a man-pleaser who is outside of the will of God. I would rather please God and displease man than the other way around.
5. Your fellowship with the Father is critical. You have to know that you are doing what the Father wants you to do. Once you know that, you cannot concern yourself with what people say or think. Jesus said, “I absolutely know who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I’m saying.” This is the type of confidence you can live with when have fellowship with the Father.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for being my witness. I am not alone. My testimony is not singular. I say what You tell me to say. I do what You lead me to do. I go where You want me to go. And You will serve as my validator. God is my witness. Your hand is on me. Your favor goes before me. People with discernment will know that I am being led of You. People without it may question me and my methods, because You lead me to do things that make no sense in this world. But I am not moved by them. I am only moved by You. Regardless of the opposition, I stand strong. I live by faith. I press forward. I know You will lead me, protect me, and validate me. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
