I John 5:1-5 [1] Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. [4] For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. [5] Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
When God repeats something in His Word, it is because it is of utmost importance. Here again John repeats the fact that we must not just love God, but love our brother and sister in Christ also. However, he begins by identifying who is a true brother/sister. It is one who believes that Jesus is born of God. In other words, that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, who is also God Himself in the flesh. This is a person who not only believes that Jesus is who He says He is, but has also called upon Him and confessed Him as Savior and Lord. That is our brother and sister in Christ. Now John takes it further. How do we know that we love the brethren? We know it when we love God, by keeping His commandments. Which ones, you ask? The ones that Jesus told us were most important; love God with our entire being, and love our neighbor. These two commands encompass the entire Law. John tells us that keeping these commands are not burdensome. However, we also know that these commands are impossible to keep in our own strength. Nonetheless, God has given us His Spirit, who enables us to love Him and others as we should. If we walk in the Spirit, and allow the Spirit free reign in our lives, then as He produces His fruit, these commands will be light and not burdensome. Finally, John addresses our relationship to the world; a world that stands in opposition to everything we believe as born again followers of Jesus. Yet, we are reminded that in Christ we can overcome. How do we overcome? We overcome by living a life of faith. By faith in Christ, and trusting in Him and His Word, we can overcome temptation, and overcome the challenges that God allows into our lives. Will we do it perfectly? No, we will not, because at times we will think we can do it in our own strength. But praise be to the One who paid the price for our sins, who is our Advocate in those times when we stumble, who told us to be of good cheer, because HE, Jesus the Son of God, has overcome the world; and in Him we too will overcome.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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