Faith Overcomes: Day 16
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” - 1st John 5:1-5
Think about someone you love dearly. Someone who you care more about than anything. Now imagine, that person asking you for something. Would you do it? Without question right!? Would you consider doing something for someone you love burdensome? Often it may be inconvenient, but burdensome? Definitely not. Out of the abundance of love you have for them, you would gladly do what they have asked. If that is the dynamic of an earthly relationship, then why would it work any differently with our relationship with God the Father? John uses the word “love” a lot when talking about our relationship with God the Father. It is not by accident that John uses this word. Much like our relationship with our spouse/significant other, our relationship with God is a relationship driven by love. God gives us his commands not to dictate our life and punish us, rather he gives us his commandments for us to live a free life. When we embrace the word of God and apply his truths to our lives, we begin to live as he created us. How it is supposed to be.
This world tries to dictate to us how life should be and how we should think. However, we live in a world fractured by the curse of sin. Nothing is as it was created to be. This world seeks to control our actions, thoughts, passions, desires, and every aspect of our lives. It appears to give us a false sense of freedom because the terminology that is often used is “live your best life” and “you only live once.” The hedonistic life promises an abundance of self-gratification, but it enslaves you to chase the next high. You become enslaved to the passions and desires of sin. You cannot help but chase the next high because what once seemed satisfying is no longer enough. That is the curse of sin and a hedonistic life. How do we overcome that pattern in this world? John answers that here. Our faith.
Our faith is the key to overcoming the trap of this world pulling us towards the endless cycle of selfish living. That faith is the full trust and belief in Christ Jesus. That belief and love compels us to not only listen to what God has to say in his word, but also compels us to do what his word says. Walking in the way God commands, how he designed us to walk, is not burdensome. While it may be difficult at times, it is worth it in the end. How do you overcome the endless cycle of self-gratification that leads to self-hatred? The gospel. At the end of the day active faith, overcomes.
