Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” NASB

The title question “Can I Get a Witness?” is a fitting catalyst to launch us into this discussion.  A witness, okay, here it is in plain sight in the Bible!  When the Holy Spirit witnesses to your human spirit that you are a Child of God rejoice!  That means as a child of God you are an ‘heir’ and beyond that, you are a ‘fellow heir’ with Christ.  We will not only suffer with Him, but we will be glorified with Him. 

Fellow believers, there is a better day coming!  There is a day of triumph coming for those who are faithful until the end.  There is a day of glory coming for those who endure to the end.  There is an Eternal Day coming for those who are washed in the blood of Jesus and have their sins forgiven.  What more do you need to give you the courage to stand firm and stand true than the witness of the Holy Spirit that you are indeed a child of God?  Rejoice and again I say REJOICE!

In the early days of my entering the ministry, I attended a meeting in Tyler, Texas conducted by the Church of God In Christ organization.  There were probably a couple of thousand people in attendance and the speaker was a pastor from Houston.  The elders were sitting at a table in the front on the floor level directly in front of the pulpit and the Evangelist was charged with receiving the offering. 

After well over an hour of testifying, mini preaching episodes, offerings, singing, and motivating the congregation to give, the congregation did almost to a person.  They came down the aisles and stood in front of the elders as they put their offerings on the table.  The elders recorded each offering in their books.  The Evangelist turned to the choir and instructed them to bring their offerings. They were seated on the floor level and as they began to come forward, he stopped them saying, “Unh Unh honey, some of you women are too dressed up to be puttin’ them quarters on the table.”  Then he turned to the preachers on the platform and yelled, “Can I get a witness?”  The place erupted with clapping and shouting. 

I left the meeting at almost 11 PM that night and they had just finished taking the offering.  I do not know what time the service was over, but I had a ball.  I left only because I had to go to work the next morning so I could not stay.  I was preaching and working a secular job as well as going to college, so my time was precious, but I would not trade that night for anything.  I learned something about enthusiasm for worship and willingness to be open and direct with regard to what people were doing.  It was refreshing then and is now when I see it and experience it.

The only real witness we need concerning our spiritual condition is not the testimony or accolades of men it is the witness of the Holy Spirit!  If our hearts condemn us then we need to take stock, but if the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, then stop fretting, doubting, and worrying, and REJOICE!  Your name is in the Book of Life and that is the most important thing.

As you go through your day go in the witness, comfort, and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.  God bless you richly is my prayer!