TYMK - The testimony of the Father
- Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
God is to us, like the water is to the fish and the air is to the birds. Fish and birds cannot see the water and the air. We have not, and cannot see God because he permeates all. [1] [2]
Though we cannot see him, he has testified to us in such a way that no man can deny it.[3]
Several years ago I got some baby goats. They are my goats. If they are on a hillside they will come to my voice. If they are mixed in with other goats, they will come to my voice or whistle. If we are on a trail together (they have crossbuck saddles and carry my gear) they may wish to go back to the parking lot. They may start back to the parking lot. But if I stand and whistle or call, they come back to me.
How do those goats know they are mine? They are bonded to me. When I first got them, I let them out of the back of the minivan and realized I was going to be chasing them all over the neighborhood. They were scared, didn't know me or the area. So I got down on all fours and started eating grass. Their instincts kicked in and they saw that there was nothing to fear if that other animal was calmly eating. So they joined me.
I sat with them that night in the dark among all the spooky sounds, and I whispered to them. As you were being formed in the womb, God whispered to you. You came to know his voice. You became his sheep. He says that his sheep hear his voice. [4] Hearing is a metaphor for being drawn to a call, but not understanding the words. If you are drawn to God... if you hear his voice, you are his sheep.
You can try to deny it. You can hide in the bushes or down the face of a cliff. You might even try to find your way to hell to avoid it. But you are his sheep.
Cue the religious zealots: But what about confessing, walking the aisle, baptism, works, ceremonies?
If you hear his voice, you are his sheep. Period. You belong to him. You may wander. [5] You may rebel. [6] You may be a fool. [7] You may be tossed about by the storms. [8] But you belong to him; you are his sheep. [9] The fact that you are drawn to God sufficiently to read my boring text, is evidence enough that you hear his voice. You belong to him.
The Father has testified to you by whispering in your ear while you were being formed. You sensed not only the heartbeat of your mother, but the still, small voice of God, who comforted you in the darkness. His spirit spoke to your spirit. He made you his.
Next: TYMK - The testimony of the Son
References
- ↑ Ps 139:7 ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Ps 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there]. Ps 139:9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Ps 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
- ↑ Jer 23:23 [Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Jer 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
- ↑ Ro 1:19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
- ↑ Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
- ↑ Ps 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
- ↑ Ps 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
- ↑ Ps 107:17 ¶ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
- ↑ Ps 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
- ↑ Ps 107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock.
