John 4:42 -- They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
As I went to move to the end of Chapter four, the Lord held me in these final verses about the Samaritans. Yesterday, one of the things that had jumped out at me was verse thirty-nine.
John 4:39 -- Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, He told me all that I ever did."
It stood out that "Many" already believed in Jesus just from hearing the Samaritan woman's testimony. It shows how powerful sharing our personal testimony can be and the impact it can have on others. Now, we of course rely on and share the Truth in God's Word always, but we've seen in these verses how much one person's interaction with Jesus shared openly can shake things up.
Christian, do you share your testimony or your story about what Jesus has done for you? Don't skip over this. Stop and really think about it.
You may not have all the answers, but you do have your personal story of what He's done for you!
If you don't have or know exactly what your personal testimony or story is, then pray and talk with the Lord about it. Get with a close Christian brother, sister, or family, and talk, bring it into the light. I know I had to.
For years I struggled to see the full truth of what Jesus had done for me because of my own self-depreciation. I just skipped right over it because I saw myself as worthless, couldn't explain Jesus' love for me considering how awful of a person I was, so I just ignored that part, focused on other things. Sure, I believed it, I knew what it was, but because of my deeply buried hurts, it wasn't a thing I wanted to think about, let alone share. Seems so odd to think about it now. I believed in Jesus, I needed and wanted Him, I accepted Him, but still couldn't accept myself or that even He could. So, what happened next?
It took being in the Word, in His presence, being in prayer, being in church regularly, and consistently meeting with a good Christian brother, who spoke God's truth to me no matter what, to finally make me even realize it was a real problem. It was then I prayed and let God into this ugly bitter wounded territory in my life. It was a journey, and it took time, but when God brought healing there, all the sudden I could see it. That healing came in part through a deep study of Ephesians. God used Ephesians to help me see the old self as it was and the new self, I had in Him. I went from believing to BELIEVING and that drove me deeper into His presence, His Word, worship of Him and it was there I went from BELIEVING to KNOWING. I pray Lord You help all this make sense to any poor soul who has read this far!
So, we see in today's verse those who had believed in Jesus because of the testimony from the woman, have gone from believing to KNOWING who He is. They learned this from choosing to spend time with Him and letting down their internal, social, religious, cultural walls. They met Him in person. They not only heard Him speak they LISTENED. In just spending time with Him and taking in what He had to say, their belief was forged into knowing.
Christian, you can believe your whole life and never really know Him. Does that freak you out? I tell you Matthew 7:21-23 "depart from Me, I never knew you." used to freak me out. Now it stokes the flames inside to want to speak up for Jesus more. My heart is for those who claim the title 'Christian' and stop there. This isn't about doubting your salvation it's about KNOWING that you KNOW Jesus and that you walk and talk with Him!
Another amazing thing is the Samaritan woman didn't just run back and tell everyone. She didn't stop and pat herself on the back for getting people to believe. NO! She pointed them to exactly where Jesus was at!
The words, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe." are a great reward. They now know Jesus! She wasn't an obstacle in the road, she was a sign pointing one way, to Jesus.
I wanted to close with this, for anyone struggling, like I did, with their old self or old ways. Hearing God clearly define there is an old self and a new self really changed me and how I viewed my past.
Ephesians 4:21-24 -- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Well, this is where He led today. After spending a lifetime of trying to fly under the radar, it's an odd feeling putting personal things like this out on social media, but it's all for Jesus and I know He has purpose in it.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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