Topic: Overcoming the World
Opening Prayer: Plant my steps in the sure promises of your word today, dear Lord.
Scripture: 1 John 5:1–12
Reflection
• Is there any command for me to obey?
• What is God revealing to me in this passage?
To have eternal life, two commands must be obeyed. Read v.1 again and note these two commands and their implications (vv.2–3). God’s commands should not be a burden to us (v.3, compare Matthew 11:28–30). This is not because they are not challenging, but because of God’s provision to enable us to obey them. See John 14:15–18. This is the reason ultimate victory is guaranteed for the Christian. As he (the believer) maintains his faith, he at the same time breaks the enemy’s yoke which discourages him from holding on–to and living for God. Vv.6–12: John again reemphasizes the God–man nature of Christ.
Apart from Docetism, the Christians of his days were also faced with the Gnostics’ wrong teaching. These teach that Jesus was born an ordinary man and that the Spirit came into him at baptism and left him just before he died on the cross. John maintains that the One who was baptized (by water) and received the testimony of God by the descent of the Spirit (Matthew 3:16–17), is the same who shed his blood on the cross (v.6). For the need for three testimonies (vv.7–9), see Deuteronomy 19:15.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• So Then? “..be of good cheer I have overcome the world”
Generosity
Generosity is an act of spontaneous response to the sharing of financial and material resources with fellow human beings. Generosity is both assumed and commanded in the Scripture. Sharing what we have with others should be free, spontaneous, cheerfully in appreciation to God for His unique gift of Jesus Christ who is a shining example of generosity. Once we cultivate the habit of giving, it will not be difficult to give to God and people.
Prayer Points
• Dear Lord, empower me, through your Son, to love as you love and obey your commandment of unconditional love.
• Pray for the activities of interdenominational Christian fellowships – OFNC, ACF etc. ─ in their ministry to foreigners.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Exodus 6:6
Read the Bible in one Year
Deut. 7–9; Acts 2:22–47
Scripture Union Daily Guide 28 June 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
