The Authentic Christian LifeSample

Seeing is believing

This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. —1 John 1:2

“Seeing is believing”, so they say.

You can hear all kinds of rumors about perfect waves in some remote area – but without seeing for yourself, you can become a little jaded about the authenticity of such claims.

That’s why, when you can’t check it out in person, it’s great to hear first-hand from someone who has been there and experienced the place.

The same applies when you hear about a man named Jesus, who claimed to be God; a man who performed miracles, including coming back from the dead! That’s a massive claim, and there’s no way you can travel back a couple of thousand years to see Him in the flesh for yourself.

The good news is that you can read first-hand accounts from people who knew Jesus: men who ate with Him, travelled with Him, learned from Him, and saw His miracles with their own eyes.

One of these men is John, who sums up his experience of knowing Jesus in 1 John 1:1 – 4.

You and I can learn three important lessons his experience.

First, there’s no doubt John has experienced Jesus first-hand – he has heard, seen and touched this Jesus – and this forms the basis of his faith. While we can’t have the same physical interaction with Jesus, it is true that we can hear from Him through prayer and the Bible, as well as many other ways. These experiences can be very powerful in the formation of our faith.

Second, John passes his first-hand experience onto others. When the news is this good, you can’t keep it to yourself! The ‘Word of life’, the ‘eternal life’, ‘from the beginning’ are all great inspirations that are worth living – and sharing.

Third, John wants us to fully experience the joy of knowing Jesus!It’s been said from an old advertising campaign ‘only a surfer knows the feeling’. So true! Surfing contains a level of joy you are stoked to feel and to share.

How much greater is the joy of knowing the ‘word of life’ – Jesus Himself – and seeing others come into this!

Go deeper:

• Think of a special surfing trip, or a special someone you love and respect because of your first-hand experience of them. How has that first-hand experience had an impact in your life?
• Reflect on the inspiration you received from that special person or surfing experience. Have you been able to keep it to yourself? Have you shared it with anyone else? Why?
• Would you say your experience of knowing Jesus is full of joy – or one of burden or boredom?