The Victory that overcometh the World – 5 January 2024, Anno Domini

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HOSOEVER 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. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  (1 John 5:1-5)

 

          The Apostle John once more emphasizes love as the identifying mark of the Christian believer. Some may insist that it is not love, but rather obedience to the Law of God that is the salient characteristic, but that overlooks the weakness of man to obey and keep the Law by means of mere self-discipline and perseverance. But such an object defies the nature of man and his need of a Redeemer. It is not by our good works that we are saved, but rather by our love of God and His children that enables obedience to that Law resulting in good works.

 

            It is natural for a parent to show a deference to those who love their own sons and daughters. The principle holds even more true with our Father in Heaven. Those who love and esteem His Son above all others will be accepted by our Father in Heaven. All the Elect of God are brothers and sisters in Christ. How could we love our Lord Jesus Christ and not love those of His brothers and sisters in the faith?

 

            One great principle affirmed in this Epistle reveals the Triune nature of the Almighty God. We find It in Verse Seven of this chapter: 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7) This verse the Triunity of God in all places – above and below; however, there are a number of pulpit dandies that cannot abide this fact and try to disprove that this verse should be included in the text. They boast of their school-learned knowledge of Hebrew and Greek and place themselves above the great theologians of the past whose knowledge and understanding of biblical language far exceeds their paltry two-year course of study. 

 

But that is not the crux of the matter: the main point to consider is the fact that these wonders of worldly religion are using specious and error-laden textual evidence to support their claims – not the Received Text used by the great Reformers of the Continent and of Europe. Lancelott Andrewes, the theologian who headed the translation team of the King James Bible, is noted to have been fluent in eighteen different languages and conversant in twenty-one. Moreover, the Reformers possessed a sound faith in God lacking in the profit-laden churches of our day. In fact, they were willing to defend every Word of the Bible with their lives. How many modern theologians and ministers are likewise willing? Let us leave the inspired text as is:

 

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (Vs 6-8) What could possibly motivate modern revisionists to desire so badly to depart from the same text used by the Reformers? I will leave that point for the Lord to decide on the Day of Judgment. Verse Nine that follows reveals the decision: 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

 

John makes reference to an important feature of our prayers: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (Vs 14-15)  Suppose we ask something that is in conflict with the Lord’s Will? We will not receive the answer we seek. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3), and, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:   (Psalm 66:18) But based upon all that God has revealed concerning His dealings with us, and us to Him, LOVE is the key factor of remaining in the pure Will of god, for God is LOVE. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love .   (1 John 4:8 ()