“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” – 1 John 1:2
To be made manifest is to be made visible. The point John emphasizes in the first verses of this letter is simply this: he and the other Apostles saw the earthly life of Jesus, the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. They saw Him in His earthly body and in the eternal glory He revealed to them on the mount of transfiguration. What they write in their letters and gospels is their eyewitness testimony about these events, teachings, and truths. What we read in the Bible is trustworthy and true. The good news of salvation and eternal life given as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ is trustworthy and true.
Since the Bible is God’s trustworthy, true, eyewitness account of the most important things in the history of the universe, the logical question is this…. how much time and energy are you putting into reading these accounts from the apostles and prophets? Are you reading, studying, and reflecting on Scripture every day? How does your time and energy spent reading, listening to, and thinking about the Bible compare to the other things you read, watch, listen to, and think about each day? Are you hungry to read and hear what God has revealed to us about Himself, His salvation, His will, His plans, and His ways?
If you aren’t already in the habit of reading (or listening) to the Bible daily, get started today. There are plenty of simple Bible reading plans available online but you could just start with Matthew chapter 1 and read one chapter every day. You’ll get through the New Testament in a mere 9 months. Read and be changed by God’s Word, it will certainly help you #FollowJesus