Tag: 1st John 5
We Overcome by Faith!
Scripture reading for November 24th: 1st John 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st John 5:2-5 “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God, over-comes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
John’s desire was that the churches he served would be over-comers. Love is the only pathway to overcoming the world, flesh, and the devil. We do this by faith in God’s Word and commands. Our faith brings loving obedience and perseverance in trials. We obtain the victory here through faith and ultimately the victory of eternal life in God’s presence! Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith!
Observations for over-comers: Faith motivated by God’s conquering love brings over-coming victory to those who believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your Presence, O Lord.” (Psalm 89:14-15)
Knowing you have Eternal Life!
Scripture reading for November 25th: 1st John 5
Many in our world and even in the Church are fearful for their ultimate acceptance by God and their actual future experience of eternal life. John had told them that Christ’s perfect love drives out all fear. (1st John 4:18) God wants His children confident of their salvation and able to boldly share the Gospel with others. John closes his letter with strong encouragement and confidence in Christ!
“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1st John 4:10-13)
Jesus Christ and the Apostle John want us to know that we have eternal life! The test is simple: If you have the Son of God, you have life; if not, you are lost! Faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son secures eternal life. After we believe on Christ, God gives us a testimony in our hearts by His gift to us: The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God. (Romans 8:15-17) We know our new identity as a member of God’s family with God’s eternal life abiding in us through the down-payment of the Holy Spirit. Thank God we can know this truth!