Scripture:
1 John 5:1-5 ESV
[1] Everyone who believes that Jesus is Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. [2] By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. [4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Observation:
John is another one of those writers who doesn’t really pull a lot of punches. I believe he wrote a total of 5 books in the New Testament, including revaluation. In his gospel, he tends to focus on the fact that Jesus is the son of GOD and HIS purpose for being here on earth. It seems like the focus doesn’t change much here in 1st John. He starts the 5th chapter by making it clear that it comes down to Jesus and whether or not you believe in him as the son of GOD. If you do, you have been reborn or made new, and if you have been made new, you will have a love for others who have been made new as well. Just like Paul in Galatians when talking about the fruit of the Spirit. John gives us a way to determine whether or not our love for GOD translates into a real love for HIM or superficial love. It’s a heart check, and honestly, this is not the only place in the New Testament that is straight to the point like this. John comes right out and says, “If you love GOD and have been born of HIM. You will not want to sin.” He continues this statement in verse 3 and sets in place a qualifying statement by saying that if you love HIM, the commandments are not a burden to you. I feel John is explaining the difference between religion and relationship. Because in religion, the commandments are something you have to do to get to heaven, and in a relationship with the Father, they are something you want to do to bring GOD glory. John wants to make it clear that those who have a relationship with Jesus will have changed lives. There will be evidence. They will overcome sin. He spells it out pretty simply. A relationship with Jesus equals a changed life.
Application:
One of the things I love most about what has happened in my life is that it’s not over. I am constantly being shaped and molded to be more like Jesus. My desires have changed, and my outlook on the bible as well. You see, I used to look at it as a list of things I couldn’t do if I gave my life to Christ. Now, it’s the desire of my heart. I don’t have to… I want to. I want to do the things that please the Father. It’s what I meditate on, and honestly, you can look at my life and see the difference. A lot of things have been overcome. From drug addiction to abandonment issues to being basically trafficked as a child, all the way to just the way I think. Now, don’t get me wrong. I know there is more work to be done. However, what I’m saying is that my life is different as the result of a relationship with the son of GOD. I am a child of the one true king. Sin is not my desire. Jesus is. In the gospel, Jesus makes a statement…”If you love me, you will do what I say.” So I need to spell it out a little bit. I love my wife. Honestly, I love her a lot, so for me, it’s easy to want to do the things that please her and put a smile on her face. That’s what is being said here. If we truly love GOD, we will want to put a smile on HIS face. How to put that smile on HIS face is spelled out in 2 ways love GOD with all your heart, all your mind, and all your body, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love is the fulfillment of the commandments. Just love. The world is full of hate. So to love even when you don’t want to is overcoming the world. Are you an overcomer? Do you believe that Jesus is the son of GOD? Is there evidence in your life to support that? If not, the bible says today is the day of salvation if you question where you would go if you die today, all that can change right now. If you will just surrender your life to the one who created you. There is no magic behind it. You just have to ask HIM to forgive you and to come be the LORD of your life. If you don’t know how I can help, just contact me personally, and we can walk you through it. You can overcome the world.
Prayer:
Father, I know that you have a plan and purpose for this SOAP, and I pray for all those who have taken the time to read it. If someone who has done so needs to start a relationship with you…Father may today be the day. I know that I said some things in this SOAP that I don’t just share with anyone, and now it’s out there for the world to know. But you have delivered me. You have changed me. I am not that man. You will never leave me or mistreat me… and I love you. I pray that shows in the honor I show you. What I pray for today is evidence. Evidence of salvation. Not just in my life but in my life but the lives of all who know you. We want your light to shine through us and be a beacon of hope to those who may not know you and if by chance someone who is reading this doesn’t know you let today be that day. it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen