If Christ is our Savior, we cannot be defeated!

We are conquerors!

1 John 5:1-5 (NCV) “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is God's child, and whoever loves the Father also loves the Father's children. This is how we know we love God's children: when we love God and obey his commands. Loving God means obeying his commands. And God's commands are not too hard for us, because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith. So the one who conquers the world is the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

In the final chapter of 1 John, we are reassured that we are God’s children if we believe Jesus is the Christ. But there’s a second part to that verse – there is an “and” too. The latter half of verse 1 says AND “whoever loves the Father also loves the Father’s children.” If we love God the Father, then we also must love his children – even the seemingly unlovable.

So how do we know if we love? Thankfully verse 2 answers that question for us “When we love God and obey his commands.” Obeying His commands…is this easy to do? According to John it’s not as difficult as we may think. He gives us a thought that will help us. In verse 4 John encourages us by telling us “everyone who is a child of God conquers the world.”

Did you realize that? 

We can be “conquerors” over the “things” that hold us captive and keep us from following God's commands by tapping into the same power that God used to raise Christ from the dead (Eph 1:20). As children of God we cannot be defeated.

But how, how do we become victors in an all too often difficult and stressful world? John tells us – OUR FAITH. Trusting in God allows us to win against this world. Oh sure – things may get tough for a little while. But if you have placed your hope and trust in Christ and you believe he came and gave his live to ransom us from sin, you can rest easy. 

You are a conqueror! This world will not defeat you!  Isn’t that an awesome truth to know?

Related reading: Psalm 56

Blanketed with Comfort

Psalm 31:3 (NCV) “You are my rock and my protection. For the good of your name, lead me and guide me.”

I love to read through the book of Psalms when I need to be reminded of God’s ever guiding presence and protection as I walk through this somewhat chaotic world. I find words that describe who I am in Christ, who He is (words that describe His character) and what He offers when I come to Him. This morning, I found this example in the first verse of Psalm 31. Here, David is coming to God seeking refuge. David often prayed for God to be his refuge and deliver him from his enemies. David knew he could trust God as his refuge, and his shelter from danger and distress. 

In God, David was confident, safe and protected (this is who I am in Christ). Why did David know this? Because David trusted God and knew He was a safe place (who God is – His character). When David sought God for protection, he knew God would guide (what God offers) him in the right direction.

The character of God hasn’t changed since David’s time. God is just as much our refuge and security today. We can find protection in Him just like David did. Believe it or not, I was reminded of this truth during a bad thunderstorm a few years ago. All of a sudden I heard a big clap of thunder. It sounded as if it were directly over my house. Seconds later, I saw a bolt of lightning.

“Whoa, that was close!” Immediately my black lab was at my side shaking like a leaf. She hated thunderstorms but what she had learned over her 13 years of life is that she can run to me for “protection from the storm.” During thunderstorms we'd cover her up with a blanket and in the security of the blanket she found peace. 

In the same way, I can run to God for protection and refuge from the “storms of my life.” He will keep me safe in His shelter and hide me in his Holy Tent (Psalm 27:5 NCV).

It is up to us to trust Him completely – with everything we are and everything we have. We can be confident that God is true to His character and will deliver and protect us.