Overcome

1 John 5:1 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. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This passage has so much in it that I can't even begin to write about them all, but there are a few things that stick out to me here.

There are some key words that pop out of this paragraph, so God must want us to pay attention to them. They are "Everyone", "love", "God" and "commandments". Even if you don't add any more word to these 4 you can really get the idea. "Everyone who loves God keeps His commandments". The opposite must then also be true. Everyone who does NOT love God does NOT keep His commandments. We need to examine our lives, personally, to see if we are truly obeying His commandments.

I love the statement, "His commandments are not burdensome". For those who love Him this is totally true, but for those who don't, His commandments are a lot of work. This should also help you to test your faith and love for Him. Are His commandments burdensome for you, or are they your joy and rest? Is it a chore for you to read and pray, or is it your delight? We are to make our calling and election sure and this is a good way to examine your faith.

The last thing is, "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world". It is hard to have our faith tested, especially if it seems like the trial keep coming. BUT, when God is the One who gives the trial and He is the One who gives us the faith to endure the trial-with joy- it is then that we can see His working in our lives and this builds our faith even more and gives us confidence that He is working all things together for our good.

If God is giving you trials right now that you can't handle, thank Him because He is the One who has to get you through them anyway and now you have to depend on Him, instead of trying to do it on your own. He works in our lives for our good and because He loves us. It's not easy, but it is possible because of Him.

Father, keep working in our lives that we might see Your love for us in all that You have for us. Though the burning away of the dross is painful now, we can rejoice that You love us enough to take the time to purify us. Give us grace to endure, joy to show the world Your goodness, faith to trust and love for others as we share all that You are with them.

Another quick thing. Consciously take the time to tell of His work in your life today. Don't keep His working to yourself, many will be encouraged by your testimony and then give Him praise for what He has done. Live out loud.