Who we are and what we’ve seen

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14

John summarizes the gospel here again in this verse. This time he emphasizes the idea of telling others - testifying. But who is “we”? John has previously referred to himself and the other apostles and disciples (the church leaders) as “we.” And that would makes sense here. John was one of the last living people to have met Jesus during His life on earth. He literally had “seen… that the Father has sent his Son.”
But in the rest of this chapter, John addresses the whole body of Christ. So it’s more likely that those are the same people John has in mind. Everyone who believes in Jesus has seen and can testify to the gospel.
That means you have seen and can testify that the Father has sent His son to be the savior of the world. You have not seen Jesus in the flesh, but you have seen the evidence that Christ has come to save the world in the changes that Jesus makes in your life and in the church’s love, faith, and fellowship The evidence to which you can testify is your own life.

Questions for reflection and discussion
1. Have you “seen” that the Father sent His son?
2. What would you say to testify about the gospel?

Dear God, thank you for making me part of your plan to tell the world your gospel. Give me the courage and wisdom to testify for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.