1)
Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him
also that 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 grievous.
4)
For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and
this is the victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith.
5)
Who
is he that overcometh the world, but he that
believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
|
"P |
ut
a little love in your heart and the world will be a better place for you and
me." These are lyrics from a song by the Beatles during the 60's. In
humanistic terms, endearments of love are usually given in hopes that something
will be returned—preferably of like-value. However, if there is no return or
the return is less than expected, love can easily turn into hate. So then, how
can the world be a better place if the requisite for love remains the same?
We
know as we near the end of the 20th century, better is far from what we witness
on a daily basis. In the span of 30 years, the world has changed and
"love," as we know it, has waxed cold as stated in Matthew 24:12. We
have become bolder about doing what's wrong and more bitter
when sentenced to pay the consequences.
So,
when Jesus spoke about overcoming the world and makings things better, He had a
more excellent plan than social programs and human interventions. His better
way is simply that we live by faith. Our faith is what makes us victorious as
we progress from one positive confession to another. As we invite Jesus into
every situation, our victory praise is that we know the problem(s) has already
been solved.
So
why do we let, frowns, grimaces and attitudes of defeat invade our camp? Why do
we insist on carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders? Can we bear it?
And even if we could, do we have the wisdom to solve anything? Jesus has asked us to do none of the above. All He asks is that we
extend to Him an invitation to enter the situation and make a positive
confession in word and deed. If either one of these is
missing, then panic and insanity are soon to follow.
Consider
this. When Jesus was asleep on the boat and the winds and waves began to
overtake the ship, did any of His disciples call for help? No! When Jesus
awoke, they were in a fit of panic and rage. They had the nerve to ask Him if
He cared if they perished. We ask the same kind of insane questions. When we
are confused with unpleasant circumstances, we are quick to ask God if He knows
what He's doing or if He really loves us!
What
God lets us know at every turn in this life is that—like Adam and Eve, there is
no way that we can live without Him. So, we are victorious according to our
faith. We need not put a question mark where God has put a period. If God says
we're healed, we're healed; if He says we're blessed, we're blessed; if He says
go right, go right; if He says accept the salvation plan in Jesus' name, accept it. His Word says all of the above. Why spend time
debating and agonizing over anything that is available and free?
Change begins one person at a time. What a miracle it would be if we all decided to "click in" simultaneously! n