There are two readings for today.

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. [1 John 5:7-8]
John is writing to encourage Jesus’ followers about their new identity (children of God) and their new life (eternal life), theirs by faith in Christ.
He reminds them of three important symbols of this new identity and life – water, blood and the Spirit.
The symbol of water reminds them of their symbolic new beginning in the sign of baptism, speaking of their act of repentance, forgiveness and new identity in Christ.
The blood of Jesus reminds them of Jesus sacrificial suffering and death, removing their guilt and redeeming them from sin, death and hell, to belong to God.
The experience of the Spirit within them not only reminds them of this, but also enables them to start living out of this reality.
He is the power of God that makes it possible to sin no more, and to live in God’s love.
Water, blood and Spirit, three things that reinforce this wonderful truth – we belong to God and are now able to live for Him the kind of life He wants us to live!

And this was John’s message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [Mark 1:6-8]
John’s message was with water, symbol of repentance, cleansing and a new beginning.
But it was only a symbol; without blood (Jesus’ sacrifice for our guilt) and the Spirit (Jesus’ power to overcome sin, death and hell), we remain trapped, without hope.
John knew that those being baptized by him would need more that water baptism.
Their act of repentance and God’s assurance of forgiveness would not be enough to change them, to transform them in God-and-neighbour-loving people.
As long as the power of sin remains, as long as Satan’s grip on our lives endures, our situation remains hopeless.
But Jesus in one who comes with more than symbolic water, He comes with His blood (sacrifice) and with the power of God (Spirit), and this makes all the difference.

Christianity (or the message of Jesus) is not just a religion of symbols and rituals, it is the power of God at work, changing lives, setting captives free, transforming sinners into God-like saints!
This is our confidence – following Jesus makes a difference.
He hears and answers our prayers, He empowers and changes us by His Spirit, He brings us into the eternal kind of life, the kind of life we were made for.
This kind of power, this kind of life transformation, this kind of love, is what we ought to expect in our lives, and strive for with His help.
If our experience of following Jesus does not involve this kind of power, love and transformation, something is wrong, something is missing.
Are you experiencing this kind of radical, life-changing life in Christ… am I?

PRAYER:
Lord, I desire more than religious ritual and symbolism, I desire the life-changing experience of Your power and love at work in me. Change me, fill me, use me!