Confirmation

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross — not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony.

—1 John 5:6 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus was "God with us" (Matthew 1:23) every step of his human life. In today's verse, John reminds us of three witnesses that show Jesus as God's Son: the water (his baptism), the blood (his crucifixion), and the Spirit (present at every step of the journey). The Holy Spirit gives us many confirmations of Jesus as "God with us." Jesus was conceived by the Spirit. The Spirit was present at his baptism. The Spirit led him with power into and out of his temptation in the wilderness. The Spirit was upon him as he entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from the Isaiah scroll. The Spirit led him in his ministry, and he had the Spirit's influence without limit. The Spirit led him to rejoice and praise God. The Spirit filled him as he debated his accusers, and the Spirit empowered his resurrection from the dead. The Spirit confirms the testimony of God, eyewitnesses, Jesus' self-declaration, and his earthly ministry! Jesus was revealed as God's Son at his baptism, but he was God's Son at his conception in the womb of Mary. He was also God's Son in ministry and was proclaimed God's Son at the Transfiguration. He was God's Son before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod Antipas. He was recognized as God's Son on the cross. And he was clearly identified as God's Son with power by his resurrection from the dead. After Jesus' ascension into heaven, he poured out the Spirit on the day of Pentecost upon his disciples and gave the gift of the Spirit's indwelling to each person baptized, including us when we became his followers.

Today's Prayer​

O Father, I believe that Jesus is your Son. Father, I believe that you have confirmed his identity as God with us, and the Spirit has demonstrated his identity through every significant event in his life on earth. I believe, Almighty Father, in Jesus Christ, your Son, my Savior, Israel's Messiah, and the world's Lord. In his name, I pray. Amen.

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Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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