Jesus asked an interesting question of His disciples when He was on Earth. He asked, “Whom do men say that I am?” The disciples' answer was “some say you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah or one of the prophets”. Then Jesus asked a very pointed question, “But whom do you say that I am?” Peter his disciple answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This same question is relevant for us today. Whom do we say that Jesus is? John the apostle has been writing about who Jesus is and how this relates to having victory and being overcomers in the world. Most of us desire this way of living, and regardless of our circumstances we can live in this state, however, there is a key to this victorious living and John shares it with us in today's verse found in the book of First John in chapter five and verse five. He wrote:
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
John gives his answer in the form of a question. The implication is that there is really no other way to be one that overcomes the world. The world has its troubles. The world has its trials, and as long as we live we will travel from one place of needed victory to the next. The world for us is temporary, and the difficulties that we endure here on Earth are only for a little while. However, there is a way to live among the trials that exemplify a life who trusts in God, believes in Jesus, and relies upon His power to live through whatever comes our way.
Paul the apostle also spoke about living victoriously In this life. He wrote in the book of Romans in chapter eight and verses thirty-seven through thirty-nine:
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we tap into the love of God Almighty, and there is nothing that we face upon this Earth that shall separate us from His love. Nothing. In fact Paul says that “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”. We not only obtain the victory, but we also are even greater than that. We are “more than conquerors”, beyond what conquerors obtain, and victorious beyond what we can even imagine.
Perhaps today some of the readers are living “defeated lives”. Perhaps there are a few who are so troubled that they wonder if anyone cares or if there really is a way to live as an overcomer. I believe John is writing to us who need encouragement that victory lies within the relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, and once that fellowship is enjoyed, no matter what comes along, He will provide the strength to not only endure it, but to be victorious over it.
Next time we will take a look at what John says about the way Jesus came into the world and the Spirit that enjoined Him, so read ahead, and we shall share together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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