Daily Reading: 1 John 5
Scripture Focus: Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5)
Devotional Thought: 1 John 5 is a chapter of wonderful assurance for believers. To those feeling burdened or buffeted by the winds of life, we have this promise: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith,” (v4). We have overcome through Jesus, we have been given eternal life, and we know that God hears and answers our prayers.
To the agnostic or atheists around us, the concept of eternal life has no meaning. That fact is evidenced in the way people live their lives, greedily grabbing as much fleshly pleasure as possible while they live out their 80-some years. What a horrible thought, that this world could be the best we have to look towards! These unbelievers spend their lives attempting to “overcome the world” through their own methods of pleasure-seeking, comfort-seeking, and peace-seeking. We know that their efforts, even when they appear good and are well-intentioned, are in vain. “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (v5).
Yet to these unbelievers, we must seem very odd. Those who love Jesus will “keep his commandments,” (v3) and will find that they are not burdensome because the Spirit is their helper. But self-sacrifice and denial of the flesh seems like a bad investment to an unbeliever. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” But praise God, we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us!
Jenny
Prayer: Father, we praise you for the living hope that you have provided in your Son, Jesus. Lord, help our actions and the way we live our lives be a testimony to your love and a light to draw those around us.
Psalm of the Day: 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!" 8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!" 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. (Psalms 122:6-9)
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