GOD IS TRUE ~ DELIGHT IN CHRIST'S TESTIMONY

"He who hath received His testimony, hath set to his seal that GOD IS TRUE." -John 3:33 [KJV]

Wherein consists the essential difference between the righteous and the wicked? In this, the heart of the former receives the testimony of Christ, and thereby honours the God of truth. The latter rejects it, and thereby makes God a liar, (I John 5:10.) No marvel then, that it is declared, “He who believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him,” (John 3:36.) And that “God is angry with the wicked every day,” (Psalm 7:11.) 

Why? Because they every day live in this daring, provoking sin of unbelief of the testimony of the Son of God, and give God the lie to His face. This is the greatest sin under heaven. O the long-suffering patience of God, toward such stout-hearted rebels. 

Consider, (1st.) What is this testimony? It is the witness which Christ bears to the children of men, that He is the Son of God: that He came forth from God: that He came to fulfil the law of God: to honour the justice of God: to bring glory to all the attributes of God, by saving sinners according to the truth of God. 

(2d.) What is it to receive this testimony? Simply to credit it; just as one does by a person who in a solemn manner, gives a plain and faithful evidence in court, of what he knows of the cause on trial. Now, here we see, what a simple thing faith is. It is no other, than receiving Christ’s testimony: believing Him to be what He declares He is, the Saviour of lost sinners: righteousness to us, who have none of our own: an atonement for sins, which we must have been damned for without: redemption from the curse of the law, which we could never avert: and the hope of eternal life, which we have forfeited. 

Thus we receive the testimony of Jesus as a reprieve for condemned malefactors: an act of grace for outlawed rebels: a report of mercy for miserable sinners. But alas! How do we puzzle our heads and perplex our hearts? For instead of blessing Jesus for this precious testimony, looking at it, considering its suitableness, and deriving our comfort from it, we get to questioning our faith, whether we have received it and do believe aright. This is our folly. 

(3d.) See the blessedness of receiving this testimony. “He hath set to his seal that God is true.” Or, as some read it, God hath sealed him (by His Spirit) because He is true. As we set our seal to God’s truth, He will seal our hearts with His comforts. We cannot honour God more, nor please Him better, than to hear and believe His beloved Son. 

 

The testimony of Christ’s love 

Is full of joy and peace, 

By faith it lifts our souls above, 

And doth from sin release.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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