Passenger Purgatory

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 
1 John 5:9 (ESV)

Have you ever wanted to get on a flight somewhere so badly but had no idea whether you’d get a seat?

When you fly with a boarding pass, you don’t stare at the passenger list hoping your name pops up. Flying standby is different. I call it “passenger purgatory,” because you won’t know whether you have a seat until they shut the door. A lot of Christians live in passenger purgatory about getting to Heaven.

The letter of 1 John answers that anxiety by calling a witness to the stand. “... the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth” (5:6, ESV). A witness is only as good as his credibility.

Then John makes a simple point. “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater…” (1 John 5:9, ESV). You trust testimony every day. You don’t ask the pharmacist to analyze your prescription, and you don’t demand the pilot’s logbook. You take their word and go.

People can be wrong, and people can lie. God never is and never does. You can always trust what He says. He is the only witness who is 100% guaranteed to be 100% reliable.

So the next time you lie awake replaying an old failure, pray, “Holy Spirit, You cannot lie, and You say I belong to the Father. I’m choosing Your testimony over my feelings tonight.” Then roll over and go to sleep.

You’re not flying standby. The most reliable Witness in the universe has already printed your boarding pass.

Prayer: Lord, I’ve trusted pharmacists and pilots I’ve never met more easily than I’ve trusted You. Forgive me. Your Spirit says I’m Your child, and I’m taking You at Your word today. Let me stop living like I’m on standby. In Jesus’ name, Amen.