Daily Thoughts from 1 John: Overcoming Love (5:1-5)

Daily Thoughts from 1 John: Overcoming Love

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. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  (1 John 5:1-5 ESV)

John is once again folding up the three tests and showing their connection.  If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah it is because you have been born of God, and like all family members do, you love all those others who have been born of God.  And the way you demonstrate that love for one another is by keeping God’s commands, which are all about treating each other lovingly.

For the one born of God, the true believer, there is no burden in keeping the laws of love because His conquering power has become ours.  We are enabled by Him to overcome the world (He enables us to recognize the truth about Jesus, love one another, and keep His commands).  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world.

When Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands the fear they had that their Jewish citizens would be in danger soon became reality.  Someone started hiding Jews away and helping them escape to the west.  Hundreds of thousands were shipped to labor camps and died, but many thousands were delivered by the love of their fellow Dutchmen.  Many of those who helped were caught and killed.  But their love overcame the world.  Nazi Germany is gone, but recently one Dutch woman who was part of the Dutch resistance was honored by the king of the Netherlands for her part in defeating the intentions of the enemy.  This will be our honor one day before the throne of the King of kings.