Overcoming

 Overcoming the World

1 John 5:1-5 (ESV) 

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

We’ve been talking about some hard truths and problems in the world, but the Apostle John wraps up his epistle with some good news. Everybody wants to be loved and the good news for Christians is that is is easy to find love. All you have to do is love the Father, accept His love for you, and find other like minded individuals so you can love one another. A community of believers who love God and live by His commandments is THE place to find love, acceptance and support. What was that old country song, “Looking for love in all the wrong places …”. People tend do do that if they don’t know where to look. I’m grateful for the community of believers that I am associated with. None of us, me in particular, are perfect, but together we know how to love God and love one another. 

Another benefit of being born again and living in a community of believers is that together we can overcome the world! Alone we can get overwhelmed by the the evil and problems of the world, but together, the Apostle John promises us that through faith, we can overcome the world. Jesus has overcome and when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we can participate in that victory. Certainly this is good news for today. We can see wars and rumors of wars all around us in these days and observe that men’s hearts are growing cold. The Devil is throwing a pity party, but we don’t need to participate! 

So be encouraged, pray and press in to a community of believers who can help you obey the Lord and can share His love with you. Together, we can overcome the world!

4 Foreveryone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?