John 19:35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

The devil, being the father of lies, tries to convince even someone who is telling the truth about Jesus that they aren’t speaking the truth. That’s why it’s important to keep exposing ourselves to the truth of the Word, and to make a habit of absolute honesty. When we do that, it’s much harder for the devil to shake us. The other side of that coin is that if we repeat a lie often enough, even we tend to believe it! There too, we must not get caught in the devil’s snares. The witness to Jesus’ side being pierced was sharing the truth he had seen for a specific reason: that others too might believe. Believe what? That Jesus had incontrovertibly died; He wasn’t in a drugged coma when they took Him down, He was dead. (The flow of water and blood came from the heart, and the pericardium around it, being pierced. That cannot be survived, period.) That was important, and still is, because of those who claim anything to try to deny the resurrection. It’s recorded that even some who saw Jesus after His resurrection doubted, (Matthew 28:17) for whatever reason. The Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ must be believed for that salvation to be received, so we are to give as many opportunities for faith as possible. We can’t force anyone to believe, but by our testimonies of the truth that we have experienced, we can make it easier for them.

Even though I have a reputation for total honesty, I can’t force anyone to accept what I am saying. However, that certainly doesn’t mean I’m to stop sharing about Jesus! As I have said from the time I first arrived in Omura, I’m not here to teach a religion, I’m here to introduce a Savior. (In Japanese that’s almost a pun.) Something I have seen again and again, in myself and others, is that few things strengthen faith more than sharing it. When we can almost convince ourselves that a lie is true if we repeat it often enough, how much more are we affirmed by speaking out what is true in the first place!? As a pastor, I desire that each member of this church not hesitate to speak the truth at all times and in all situations, and that includes speaking out the truth of Jesus Christ. Not everyone is called and gifted as an Evangelist, (Ephesians 4:11) but everyone is sent out as a witness. (Acts 1:8) Witnesses simply tell the truth, and we can do that.

Father, thank You for the various witnessing opportunities You have given with the YWAM team here. I pray that each person would be unable to forget the truth they saw and heard, and be drawn to You by that truth. We will be involved in programs today and tomorrow that will provide many more opportunities. I pray for prepared hearts, both for witnesses and their hearers, and for Your anointing to carry Your truth into hearts to bring repentance and faith for salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!