Sense By Three Senses!

When someone tells us what a friend of a friend of a friend told them, we might wonder about the accuracy of what is relayed to us. Not hearing the person who provided the original information places it in the category of "hearsay" because it is not FIRST HAND information and we don't have the opportunity to say, "Tell me what you heard and what you saw." Though details can be researched to verify, it is the eyewitness account that we have more reason to accept and believe.

In the introduction to John's first letter, he started in a similar fashion to which he began his Gospel account of the life and teachings of Jesus. ( John 1:1-2 & 14) Again, introducing the Messiah -- "the Word of life" -- we read. . .

"(1) That which was from the beginning, which WE HAVE HEARD, which WE HAVE SEEN with our eyes, WHICH WE LOOKED UPON and HAVE TOUCHED with our hands, concerning the word of life -- (2) the life was made manifest, and WE HAVE SEEN it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -- (3) that which WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." ( 1 John 1:1-3 ESV)

John provided a threefold reason for accepting His testimony. Number one: John and the other disciples HEARD Jesus' teachings with their own ears. Number two: he and the others SAW all that Jesus did that revealed the power of Deity with their own eyes. Number three: they had also TOUCHED Jesus with their own hands. Three senses were employed and based on that FIRST HAND experience they testified and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Because of what they HEARD, SAW, and TOUCHED, their hearts and minds were drawn inseparably into fellowship with the Father and the Son. Therefore John testified and proclaimed it all as an eyewitness to draw others -- including us who read his words today -- into that same fellowship.

Peter -- another FIRST HAND witness of our Lord -- encouraged. . .
"(8) THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM, YOU LOVE HIM. Though you do not now see him, YOU BELIEVE IN HIM AND REJOICE with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (9) OBTAINING THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH, THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS." ( 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

Praise God He has preserved the FIRST HAND accounts on which to build our faith so we can live with the assurance of all God's promises in Christ!

Have a great day REJOICING WITH THAT INEXPRESSIBLE JOY!
Carl

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