Voice

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

VOICE

John 1:15

15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"

NIV

There is no question that John was called or chosen, from his inception, perhaps even before that, by God for a special purpose. He was filled with the Spirit, knowing things far beyond the human ability. His testimony was straight from the mouth of God to the heart of mankind. Man argues based on various denominational preferences whether we are chosen, such as John was, or have the free will to choose such as so many who sought Jesus out. But the fact still remains those of who are believers should also have a testimony from the mouth of God to the heart of mankind. We cannot stay cooped up, metaphorically, within the walls of our church. We cannot isolate ourselves from the world. Yes, we have been told not to be unequally yoked, not to partner with those of the world, for their by default serve Satan, and any partnership, in any way would not be appropriate in the eyes of God. But we were also told to go out into the world and tell everyone about Jesus. We should be like John as one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, there is one coming who is greater than us because he was before us. John was not the most popular person with everyone, especially those who lived to defy God. We should not expect anything different. Some would tell us to witness to them with love, but John told them the truth straight up. Some would tell us  to tell our testimony by our good deeds, but John just told them who was coming, and what it meant. Some would tell us to make friends first then work our testimony into the conversations, but John was no friend to the world, he simply cried out that Jesus was coming. Where is our voice?