Learning DAILY

 

1 John 5:4-5, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

I have written several times about trials and temptations that Believers face each day.  Those who know Christ as their Savior have an overcoming spirit – victory – when those trials come.  2 Corinthians 5:17 gives encouragement during these times.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  Those who accept Christ by faith become new and belong to God.  “New creation” means the world’s standard of judgment (according to the flesh) no longer can be applied to that person.  This passage does not mean a person’s lusts, temptations, and evil thoughts just go away at their new birth; those struggles continue.  Instead the Holy Spirit which comes to live in the person helps and strengthens each day so the ability to resist grows stronger.  Unfortunately, the struggles continue until the Believer reaches heaven.  The Good News is that God has defeated the world system by sending His Son to take our place.  In doing so He has ownership of those who give their life to Him.  And I give them eternal life, and shall they never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28).  Eternal life is not something that happens when one dies.  No, it begins when one gives their life to Christ.  From that point in time one can never be exiled from God’s love or presence and no power or circumstance can take them from Him.  There is safety and security for even the weakest that are constantly following the One who gives eternal life.

 

Notice that it is faith that overcomes the world.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to take my place for my sins.  I also believe that this does not give me a license to live in whatever lifestyle I want.  My responsibility is to live the life that Christ desires me to live.  Sadly, I fail quite often.  But, on the other hand, many of those things that were attractive to me in the past no longer are.  Have there been failures? Yes, many.  But with each failure, forgiveness was given to me when I asked and repented.  This faith, being talked about is an overcoming faith that experiences the power of God and loves Christ so much that the pleasures the world offers, the ungodly ways and thinking and the selfishness of materialism start to lose their attractiveness. 

 

I am disgusted at the self-centeredness and ungodliness I read about in this country and world.  Believers, today, are surrounded by great opposition and hatred.  We must stand firm against the ungodliness in the world and refuse to conform to all of it.  To do that we must not be lukewarm in our faith and what we believe.

 

Jesus said in Revelation 2:7, “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”  Read the promises given to those who overcome given in the rest of Revelation 2 and Revelation 3.  They will not be hurt by the second death (v. 11), will receive hidden manna and be given a new name (v.17), will be given authority over the nations (v. 26), will not have their names removed from the book of life (3:5), and will be forever the children of God.

 

Humans have a great need to be reconciled to God.  Through the work of Christ on the cross, every Believer’s record of sin is blotted out and each is reconciled to the Father.  That makes me want to shout – Praise the Lord!

 

 

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