Verse: 1 John 5:3-5
3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Devotion
Jesus states in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”. When we become Christians, we walk in a new identity – one where, whatever life throws at us, we can keep moving forward because we have ultimately won the battle. We all get to experience this – together!
I’ve been thinking a lot about what the phrase “overcome the world” means. What does it mean in our lives today? What does it mean if I feel like I am on the losing side of that battle? At the end of the day, I think the statement, “overcome the world”, is a promise we can hold onto. You will overcome what’s in front of you – big or small. Maybe you are working on how much you gossip. Maybe it’s a bit bigger than that – like an addiction. When you walk with God, really live by his commands, and join into community with other believers, you will see your life change. The devil doesn’t have a hold on your identity. We don’t have to be burdened by this world; we get to experience the peace of God now.
Today, think about what it means that you have overcome the world. What situation are you facing that may feel a little too heavy to bear? I encourage you to reach out to your community and share your burdens with someone this week. We are all going through hardships, but we also serve the same God. Let’s encourage one another as we journey through this world.
Guest Author: Joanna Martin