The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – Growing As Disciples
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Place Your Faith
Where will you place your faith? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you place your faith in yourself? Will you trust in your own gifts, talents, abilities, and resources? Will you rely on your own understanding? Will you follow your own counsel? Will you go and do whatever seems right to you? Will you be the master of your own destiny? Will you be the final arbiter of what is good and right and true? That would be exceedingly foolish. How do you know for sure? I know from the voice of experience. I have been there and done that. I have seen the error of my own ways. I have followed my own counsel and listened to my own advice. I have gone and done whatever seemed right to me. Where did all this lead you? It led me on a crooked path. I bounced from one fruitless endeavor to another. It led me into a life filled with bruises and brokenness. I suffered for my mistakes, missteps. and sinfulness. I reached rock bottom. I had nowhere to go. I was stuck in the mud and mire of my own pride filled life. So, what did you do? You know exactly what I did. Yes, I do. I cried out to you. I asked you for your help. I turned my life over to you. I came to believe in you. I placed all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, you certainly did. Now, only you, are the arbiter of what is good and right and true. If I think one thing and you say another, then I now know that it is time for me to readjust my thinking and realign my life with you. That is very good.
What has been, is, and will be the outcome of your placing all your faith and hope and trust in me? I am now living the life of salvation that you have secured for me. Your love for me, and my love for you, has made following and obeying your commands not burdensome to me. It has become my joy to do what is good and right and true. I love doing what is pleasing to you. You are helping me to overcome the world, as I live my life with and for you. Yes, you are and that is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I do believe in you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I love you with all that is within me. I will place all my faith in you. Loving you has made obeying your commands not burdensome. Help me to overcome the world as I follow and serve you. Amen
Key Question… How is continuing to place your trust in the Lord helping you to overcome the world?
Living It Out… Place all your faith in the Lord and allow Him to help you overcome the world.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to overcome the world as you place all your faith in Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith in the Lord is helping you to overcome the world.
Prayer To Bless Others… May your faith in Jesus Christ make you able to overcome the world.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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