“Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.'”

John 8:14

Confrontation often occurred between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees thought of themselves as experts in the knowledge of the Word, and believed they could out-argue anyone with their perfectly formed ideas. Their reliance on their own knowledge led to a sense of self-righteousness. For that reason, anyone who did not submit to their traditions was condemned. Jesus, however, caused a lot of problems for them, because they could not refute the miracles that He did among the people. The more the Pharisees were critical of Him the more His followers increased. To these “know-it-alls” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). That was a blow to the very heart of their beliefs. How could someone who did not follow them, who was not allowed to be taught by them, be the light and guide to the people? “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid” (John 8:13). Jesus replied to the Pharisees, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14). There is nothing worse than someone walking through this life, not knowing where he is going.

The Pharisees were no different at all from the Jewish people who spent forty years circling around the mountain and in the desert. They were far away from the hope of reaching the Promised Land. The Law became, for them, just like the mountain, where both scribes and Pharisees circled around and around without taking their eyes off it.

In the same way, when someone lives away from God, they have no purpose in life. We all know people who have spent a long time circling the mountain of their financial need. They take turn after turn, making their finances an idol that they have surrendered their lives to, crying out for it to send them good things. These actions blur their understanding, so that they cannot see God’s wonders. “What good is it for man to gain the entire world if he loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Or, what good is it for those who live selfish lives to gain the world, only to become slaves of to their lusts, vices and ill desires? They are totally unaware that they will spend eternity in permanent torment, without anyone to have mercy on them. Others are simply content with being members of a congregation. They come across as spiritual people and even participate in the church activities, but they are not yet truly saved and have yet to experience the new birth.

There are two appointments that no one can miss or avoid. One is an appointment with death and the other is the appointment before God’s judgment seat. We all know that one day we are going to be present at both these appointments. What is interesting is that most people never bother to prepare themselves for it.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“I knew about the Lord since I was a child. However, because of life’s circumstances, I left the church for a time. Eventually, God brought me back to Him. Before this happened, I gave myself so much to my job, that it became a god to me. This led me to visit sinful places together with my peers after work. One day, while I was with my co-workers after work, I do not know what happened to one of my friends who was there with us, but he turned aggressive and murderous. He shot almost everyone who were there. Two people were killed and four more of us were badly hurt.

The doctors didn’t have much hope for me, because of where I had been shot. They gave me just twelve hours to live. For the next twenty-two days I fought for my life.

When this tragedy happened, since I was living away from God, I felt like I was going to die. In that moment, it was like I was falling into a deep abyss. The Bible says that many people will face the eternal judgment of God. However, I had no idea where I was going. While I was falling, I saw the history of my life flash by. I could not see the good deeds that I had done; but, it only showed all the sins that I had committed, the mistakes, the lies, doubts and complaints.

I saw people on either side of me, staring at me with contempt. They just spat on me, and as their spit hit the ground it was instantly transformed into nails. In that moment I felt a great fear come over me. It was the fear of God. My fear grew stronger because I felt that I was going to be condemned by God. I felt His relentless judgment, because there is nothing that can be hidden from His eyes. Despite falling into God’s judgment I saw how God’s grace reached me and the Lord gave me a second chance.

I remember that while being in this church, where we are always busy doing the work of the Lord, it allows us to have a lively and active heart and we are protected by His love in a supernatural way. Now, my greatest desire is to win the most souls I can because I know that if they don’t have Christ in their hearts, they are walking toward that terrible abyss from which God rescued me.” (Santiago Morales)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I live for Jesus, who gave His life for me and revealed to me His purpose for my life.”

Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume Four.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: Zechariah 1-5; Job 40
• New Testament: John 20:19-23; Revelation 19