	Bob Hostetler > Devotions

Firsthand Faith

by Bob Hostetler

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes. . . this we proclaim" (I John 1:1, NIV).

The witness sits in the witness box of the great courtroom, surrounded by spectators, reporters, attorneys and, of course, the jury and the judge.

The prosecuting attorney asks a question, and the witness begins to answer when the defense counsel leaps to his feet.

"I object!" he says. "Hearsay!"

The judge nods, and then turns and instructs the witness to relate only what was observed and experienced firsthand.

You may never be a witness in an important court case, but you are a witness every day. And you can only effectively witness to that which you have experienced yourself. John the Apostle wrote, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life" ( 1 John 1:1). He made sure that his readers knew he spoke from personal experience.

You and I can only be effective witnesses to that which we have experienced ourselves, not what our parents told us, not what our friends believed, but what we have heard with our own ears, seen with our own eyes, and experienced in our lives. That kind of testimony of God's grace and power is more persuasive than the most eloquent secondhand account.

Prayer: Lord, let me experience your grace and power today, that I may be a compelling witness to others.

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