Love Overcomes

1 John 5:3-5 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
 
YOU overcome the world when you believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Is this good? “Overcome” has several very different meanings. It can mean you are overwhelmed, unable to respond to many different troubles and circumstances. Does one who believes in Jesu overwhelm the world, causing trouble?
    In contrast, “overcome” also means you have the ability to confidently confront and conquer the circumstances against you. This is John’s meaning. As a Christian, you overcome the world when you, sure of your faith and of your Lord, confront the many things that oppose Jesus. John affirms the believers they have overcome false teachers, constant temptations and even very severe trials threatening to overcome them. With faith, they have overpowered the opposition. We in the church are to be overcomers. This is our life when we truly live in Christ’s resurrection power. Jesus has overcome death! Whom shall we fear? Ephesians 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
    The apostles have spoken. The prophets also spoke it: Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Overcoming the world in God’s power leads to joy. This is the true security of knowing the Lord God Almighty protects you.
    Then know the Lord Jesus, too, reveals God’s eternal rewards as you overcome the world: Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. In Christ, you can live this way.
    What confronts you? Are you overcome? Or are you an overcomef?
 
Life Thought: God’s eternal love overcomes all.