1 John 5:1–5 (ESV)
Overcoming the World
5
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. 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?
John has been weaving a tapestry of love and endurance. It has been two themes twisted together into one thread. John continues both today, knowing
that the world is trying to impact us, but it is not a struggle at all. We endure by overcoming the world. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.
The power to overcome the world is a gift from God. It is God who gives us our faith. The Scriptures state in Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV): “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of
God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Scripture also states in Romans 10:17 “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. The power to overcome and to live the commandments comes from God
in the form of a gift, it is called “faith”.
I pray: O Lord, help me to endure unto the end, to live your commandments, to love, and not be led astray by Satan. The ways of the world
are enticing, but your Kingdom is far more glorious, because sin does not dwell there. Help me to keep my priorities in line. Amen.