DEVOTION – DAY 505

I John 5:4-5 “Following God’s Way”

1 John 5:4-5 “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

In the Bible, the words “to overcome the world” means to gain victory over the world’s sinful pattern of life. This means Christians choose to behave differently from non-Christians by choosing to live lives pleasing to God. For example, it is common practice amongst many people to understate their taxable income so that they could pay less taxes. But that practice amounts to cheating. So, Christians should choose to declare their taxable income and pay taxes due to the authorities despite what others may be doing. 

Obedience to God in matters like these are not impossible because Christians have been ‘born again.’ Being “born again” means that they have put their belief and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, given them strength to do what is right. Thus, James tells us in the above verses that Christians have victory in two ways. 1) At their conversion, they have turned their backs on the world and put their faith in Jesus – they overcame the world. 2) Christians have a continuing daily victory in their battle with sin and temptation. 

We know someone who had a misunderstanding with a friend. Although she did not do anything wrong, her relationship with her friend was strained. We advised her to reconcile with her friend even if it meant apologizing to her friend. We told her that Jesus in Matthew 5:23 -24 taught us to make peace with those who have something against us. We are to leave whatever we are doing and go and be reconciled to them first. Although it may be difficult for her to swallow her pride, we told her the Lord would give her the strength and the grace to make peace with her friend. She followed our advice and apologized to her friend. In doing so, she experienced peace in her own heart. It did not matter that her relationship with her friend was no longer the same. The fact that she had obeyed the Lord, her relationship with the Lord is not affected and she had peace. She had learnt to overcome the world. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us the strength through the Holy Spirit to make daily choices that are pleasing to you. Thank you for guiding us to do what is right, and not follow the ways of the world. Please help us to walk closely with you and not be tempted to follow the world’s ways. We humbly pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Questions

  1. What are some difficult situations you are facing that tempts you to use worldly ways to settle matters?
  2. How and what are some ways you can choose to use Godly ways to settle these matters instead of worldly ways?
  3. Following God’s ways is often against the world’s ways but God has given us the Holy Spirit to give us strength to do His will. Will you surrender to God’s will for you?