SeniorSeeker
Active member
Belief & Victory ~
"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" (1 John 5:1).
Throughout history some people have understood the battle that Christians have to fight, in overcoming the world, as some kind of literal military conflict. Yet, that is wrong. Nowhere in Scripture are Christians called to set out as crusaders and force others to convert, such as in the radical Muslim world. Nowhere in the New Testament is a nation equated with the kingdom of God and, as such, to be defended or expanded by violence. The battle that Christians have to fight is a spiritual battle. In the Johannine literature, the way to overcome is not by the use of violence and physical force. The way to overcome is by faith, and faith is exhibited by the kind of life one lives.
The conqueror par excellence is Jesus Christ. Because He has won the victory, His followers are able to overcome too. To some extent, they already have the victory, His victory in their behalf. The overcomers receive wonderful promises from God that we no longer have to be slaves to sin, but that in Jesus and in the new life we have in Him, we serve the Lord, not Satan, our old master.
In what areas of your life have you experienced the promise of victory and overcoming? In what areas have you fallen short, and why? How can you have the victory that is promised you? What is holding you back?
"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" (1 John 5:1).
Throughout history some people have understood the battle that Christians have to fight, in overcoming the world, as some kind of literal military conflict. Yet, that is wrong. Nowhere in Scripture are Christians called to set out as crusaders and force others to convert, such as in the radical Muslim world. Nowhere in the New Testament is a nation equated with the kingdom of God and, as such, to be defended or expanded by violence. The battle that Christians have to fight is a spiritual battle. In the Johannine literature, the way to overcome is not by the use of violence and physical force. The way to overcome is by faith, and faith is exhibited by the kind of life one lives.
The conqueror par excellence is Jesus Christ. Because He has won the victory, His followers are able to overcome too. To some extent, they already have the victory, His victory in their behalf. The overcomers receive wonderful promises from God that we no longer have to be slaves to sin, but that in Jesus and in the new life we have in Him, we serve the Lord, not Satan, our old master.
In what areas of your life have you experienced the promise of victory and overcoming? In what areas have you fallen short, and why? How can you have the victory that is promised you? What is holding you back?
God Bless! Ma Betty