Examining How to Live Obediently to God (Part Two)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. In teaching how to live obediently to God, we’re examining the passage of 1 John 5:3-5. John has told us that God’s commandments are not burdensome. The reason God’s commands “are not burdensome” is because “whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” It’s noteworthy that John doesn’t say “whoever” but whatever. This suggests that there’s something naturally world-conquering about the experience of being “born of God.” What is it? John says, “and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” John is teaching us that our faith in Jesus has already overcome the world since whatever is born of God is the product of that faith. The “world” is a system of people and things that are hostile and opposed to God and the people of God (see 1 John 2:15-17). With every experience of someone being born of God (born again), the world system suffers a significant and permanent loss! That’s how faith in Jesus conquers and overcomes the world. It’s a tremendous victory over the world to place faith in Jesus and experience being born of God! As a matter of fact, Scripture presents Satan as actively involved in attempting to prevent people from experiencing being born of God (see 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Luke 8:5, 12). Whenever someone has been born of God through faith in Jesus Scripture teaches this as overcoming the world: “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). Thus, the fact of new birth is a breathtaking and spectacular victory accomplished by our faith. It hardly needs to be mentioned that this victory doesn’t guarantee subsequent victory in Christian living. John’s point is the victory achieved by the new birth makes obedience to God’s commands an achievable goal. The seeds of victory are found in our new birth but as they’re nurtured will ripen into mature, victorious Christian living. Be encouraged!