Overcoming the World

Everyone Who Believes

Who has been born of God? Those who believe in Jesus Christ. Also those who loves the Father/ loves whoever is born of Him. Isn’t this what it all boils down to? So who must we love if we are to be born of Christ? Everyone? At least those who have declared their love for the Father.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Notice how John has this theme throughout his message. Doesn’t this sound like what he now writes in his 1 John passage? But these were not Johns words but the words of our Savior himself.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

τηρέω-to observe/keep watch: this is an action word or verb

The relationship with God is three fold: 1) a true understand of who God is and that He has spoken through his son Jesus Christ.

2) God’s commandments have to do with our inner self-we must walk in the light and live lives assured of our forgiveness.

3) Our relationship with God is also reflected in our relationship with our neighbor, whether near or far.

But there is a fourth relationship: 4) This relationship concerns the weight of living a godly life and following God’s commandments.

βαρος-literally means weight

English Standard Version Chapter 5

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This last type of relationship may be the most important one of all because we need to know that because we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are linked in a relationship that makes our burdens light. It is not through our efforts that our burdens our light but because He is in our lives.

Adultery, fraud, selfishness, murder, gossip, and fear are not the attributes of our Savior, and they are not ways that our human personalities are built up. Our relationship requires that we align ourselves with His values. Honesty, vulnerability, openness, being alive from the center (which would be a Jesus core thing). This core would be God Love from the center of our being.

We sometimes try to be what God wants us to be without calling on God to deliver us to that final place. This is a relationship that requires God to be a part of our lives. Pray and speak to Him about your daily