The Victory That Has Overcome
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
OVERCOMES.
What image does that word plant in our minds?
Do we imagine the strength of a warring army?
Do we see hundreds, if not thousands, or even millions sitting within dwellings built of materials from the earth, sitting inside their booths, looking up toward the heavens, seeing the brightness of the stars, reminding them of the provision of God as He led the children from the wilderness, across the sea, and into the land of promise?
Do we close our eyes and see Jesus?
Do we see His birth, His life, His death, and His burial cloths left within the tomb when He arose from the dead?
Do we see Jesus with His arms stretched wide, hanging upon His cross, providing the Way to know God, to receive God’s forgiveness for our sins?
What do we see when we imagine the word OVERCOMES emblazoned across our mind?
The Bible is so clear. The Truth leads us daily as we journey home to heaven. Do not believe me but believe God’s Word.
“You do not have because you do not ask.
(James 4:2-10)
You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose?
“He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?
But He gives a greater grace. …
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
OVERCOMES.
JESUS—Did.
JESUS—Did—So we can know God.
JESUS—Did—So we can have a friend in Jesus.
JESUS—Did—So we can walk in intimacy with God’s Holy Spirit.
JESUS—Did—So we can receive His peace because our peace comes ONLY through the Prince of Peace.
JESUS—Did—-It is a Truth!
We can experience His peace when we willingly trust God, when we follow Him, knowing His will is better than our own will, and when we dwell within His will through every life situation.
“Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose?” (James 4:4-5)
The Israelites were instructed to celebrate Sukkot, a joyous celebration of God’s provision, the Festival of Tabernacles, the time of harvest, and a time of remembrance to recall how God provided for His children. SEE Leviticus 23.
Many believe our holiday of Thanksgiving may have derived from this Jewish season of joy. Today, we can be reminded of how God continually provides for His children.
Sense God’s presence.
Sit and be still.
Sense God.
As we sit outside, as we look up toward heaven—May we see the stars—May we remember our vulnerability—May we dwell within God’s strength. Sit within God’s peace and remember the wilderness God brought us from. Sit within God’s peace and remember, as we rejoice in God’s protection found through His Son.
- May we live in our faith.
- May we live out our faith.
- May we experience JOY, the only joy found within our faith.
So, who will inherit the kingdom of God?
The washed, the sanctified, and the “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God”(1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
May we constantly know the pure JOY found in God.
JESUS—Be totally devoted, in Love with Jesus.
JESUS—Be totally devoted, in loving service to others.
JESUS—Be totally devoted, in Love with the ONE who gave us freedom from our sins.
Joy is found there.
May we dwell within God’s strength.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith [in Jesus].” (1 John 5:4)
YES, may we dwell upon the image within our minds as we see the outstretched arms of JESUS hanging upon His cross, providing the WAY to know God, to receive God’s forgiveness for our sins.
OVERCOMES.
TRULY, IT IS AN IMAGE OF MAJESTY!