The battle has been won
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 1 John 4:4-5 NLT
From the epistle, John clearly distinguishes between the work of God and the work of the devil, between God’s children and those who do not belong to God, and between knowing the truth and not giving in to false teachings. John continues to present the contrast from the text. And since Christians belong to God, they should not forget this truth. We have this spiritual heritage that cannot be taken away from us for it has been given to us by God. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). Since they belong to God, they are expected to live differently from people who do not belong to Him. “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God” (1 John 3:9). God wants His people to be victorious in their Christian lives not because they have the power to defeat the enemy but “because the Spirit who lives in [them] is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4b). When we continue to abide and obey God’s Word, we overcome being influenced by false teachings. We also are able to honor God in our lives for we ignore the world’s way of living. These victories come from our submission to the power of God at work within us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why we cannot claim that we have this strength because of our abilities but because of the Spirit living in us. “‘Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). The battle has already been decided for it was won by the Lord. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It is by faith that we participate in Christ’s victory so that we will be in a position that we will overcome the world. Let us continue to yield to the Holy Spirit so that He will keep us in the truth of God’s Word and help us live lives that glorify Him.
Blessings,
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