How do we know that Jesus is the Savior and Lord? How do we know that Jesus Christ was the one who would change our lives if we trust in him? These are not just idle questions. They deal with your life.

The Apostle John deals with these questions. John points to the sure witness—God himself. We can trust God, because he made us. God has shown his love to us. If you can’t trust God then you are in big trouble. We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about it Son (v 9). We trust human testimony in many areas. How much greater is the confidence we have in God’s testimony?

When asked about those who witness concerning himself, Jesus mentions human testimony, but it is the testimony of God that is conclusive. God showed who Jesus is through the miracles he did, through the Word of God and even through the voice of God. [You can read this in John 5:31-39.]

In our text, God gives this testimony in two different ways. The first is objective and external. He gives witness in the life of Jesus. The second is subjective and internal. He reveals it to our hearts. In the first, we see things that should encourage us to believe. In the second, we experience God’s inner witness that confirms its truth. The truth resonates in us.

First, look at the objective witness of God. V 6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. John packs a lot into that verse using symbols. The water refers to Jesus’ baptism and the blood to Jesus’ death. At Jesus’ baptism, he is declared to be the Son of God. God’s voice thunders. The Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove.

The Apostle makes a point to say that Jesus did not come by water only, but by water and the blood. At Jesus’ baptism, it was clear that he was God’s beloved Son. The people should listen to Jesus. And yet, so many things start well only to fall away. Jesus was not just announced to be someone special and then fade away. The witness of the water was not the end.

Jesus taught that he would die as the Savior of his people. At the last Supper, Jesus breaks bread and tells his disciples, "Take and eat. This is my body which is broken for you." Jesus takes the cup and says, "Drink this, all of you. It is my blood poured out for the forgiveness of sin." Jesus not only came as the announced Son of God, but he actually accomplished what he set out to do.

Jesus shed his blood to atone for sins as he said he would. He died and he rose again, as he said he would. Not only did God declare Jesus to be the beloved Son at his baptism, he demonstrated it on the cross, in his death and in his resurrection by the Spirit of Life.

But that does not mean that everyone who sees this testimony will believe. There is another way that God gives witness to Christ. It is directly to our hearts. The objective witness is there for all to see. Everyone is without excuse. No one can claim to need more of a witness than what God has given through the Spirit, the water and the blood. But God does give a witness in another way.

Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart (v 10). There is an internal witness. The Holy Spirit communicates with our spirit so we look at the witness of God and say, "Yes, that is true. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is my Savior."

Have you heard the word preached and felt your heart cut with the need of repentance? Have you felt the need to be forgiven by God? That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Have you then felt the joy of knowing that you are forgiven? That God loves you? That Christ died for you? That his Word is for you? That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

All this talk about witness and faith is not just an intellectual exercise. It is a matter of life and death. You can know the Bible and be able to quote it, but if you do not believe in the Son of God, then you do not have life. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the son does not have life (v 12). By having the Son, John is not saying that you have knowledge about the Son, but faith in the Son. You are trusting in the Savior. Your life is different because of your relationship to Jesus.

If that is true of you, how is it making a difference in your life this week? Are you trusting in Christ, or in your own ability to manipulate your world to make things go your way? Are you looking for ways to glorify God and to enjoy him? There is a difference that comes into the life of one who trusts in Christ. We have not only the outward testimony, but also the inward testimony. If you don’t know you have eternal life, you can know today. If you have not believed in Jesus, you can today. And if you do believe in Jesus, you can make him known to others today.