Overcoming the World | John pt. 8

As this series on 1 John comes to a close, I was drawn to the first passage of chapter five because it touches on many ideas in only five verses. First, it reminds us that our faith - not our works - allows us to be born of God. Next, it explains the relationship between loving other believers, loving God, and obeying His commandments. And finally, it gives us hope for the evil we will inevitably encounter during our life on earth.

Read 1 John 5: 1-5

(v. 1) John explains that God's gift of grace allows us to be born of God if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. It is not based on the number of good deeds we've done, the sum of people we've played a part in saving, or the amount of time we study our Bibles. These acts are great, but they should come from an overflow of our love for God. Works are not what saves us, but rather our belief in Him. The second half of this verse tells us that if we love God, we also love anyone else who has been born of Him. Just like you, these people were specifically chosen by God to be adopted into His family (Ephesians 1:5). Since we ideally strive to love what God loves, we should also love His other children.

(v. 2-3) We can demonstrate this love for Christians through our love and obedience to God. According to 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31, each believer comprises the body of Christ and is essential for the health of the body. Because we are so united, whatever happens to one member affects all members. Our love for God means we care about what we contribute to His body. So, our love and following His commandments shows that we love other believers and are working towards their well-being as well as our own. In addition, our obedience to the Lord not only shows our love for believers but, more obviously, our love for God Himself. If we truly love God, we desire to walk as He did in holiness, and His commands show us how to do this. Therefore, His commands should not be a burden because they are not meant to restrict us or cause us to get less out of life. Instead, they are intended to instruct and guide us in His ways and become more like Him.

(v. 4-5) Through all the temptation, abuse, and suffering Jesus experienced on earth, He never once succumbed to sin. Not even death on a cross could defeat Him as He rose from the grave three days later. As Jesus' life showed us, God has the power to overcome the world, and those with God within them also possess this power. Our faith makes us part of the force that defeats the world's evil. Anything that is born of God will not be overtaken.

In summary, John first points out that our faith is enough to be born of God. We must trust that God's grace is sufficient to cover our sins, and we don't need to "cleanse" ourselves with good works. If we had to pay for our transgressions alone, our acts would never be enough to escape the judgment we deserve. Jesus has already paid that price for us, and now God is willing to forgive us for our sins. John goes on to explain how our obedience to God's commandments demonstrates our love for God and His children. Since every believer contributes to the body of Christ, our commitment to following God's word shows that we are dedicated to building up Christ's body. In addition, God gives us commandments not to burden us but out of love so that we can be instructed to become more like Christ. Finally, the passage discusses how believers can overcome the world through faith. God is within those born of Him, and our dedication to following Him and the guidance of the Holy Spirit inside us allow us to defeat evil. As John asks at the end of the passage, what that is born of God could ever be overcome?

Too often, we forget that God abides within the hearts of those who believe in Him. We know through Jesus' life that God has the power to overcome evil, and those born of Him have the same powerful God residing in their hearts. This understanding should give us hope that evil will not defeat us. Although we still sin, God's forgiveness will cleanse us from unrighteousness and allow us to continue to walk in purity. I encourage you to pay closer attention to the Spirit within you. Acknowledge that tug of consciousness it gives you when you are given a choice between good and evil. Open your mind to its instruction, and let it guide your life. When you have God on your side, nothing can stand in your way.

- Lena

Sources:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/1-john/1-john-5.cfm

https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-today.html