1 John 5:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 5Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. Verse 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. Verse 3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, Verse 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Verse 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Verse 6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
Devotion
To be any kind of victor in today's world is a rather daunting task. It is especially true in our faith life. Luther had good reason to write, "Faith lives only as long as it struggles." It is extremely difficult to see or measure one's own faith. We more often see our unbelief. Then our gracious God allows water and blood to reveal himself to those having a faltering faith. Waters of baptism and shed blood on the cross appear. Senses receive the visual message. We are revived, for it is tangible and real. Weak faith is equipped to "overcome the world." Sightless, and unable to speak, Helen Keller needed but a drop of water and the touch of her teacher's hand. She responded with exaltation and renewed life. God does it again! He chooses to birth us anew daily, and we are enabled to overcome. "Jesus, you are the Son of God," my Overcomer.
Prayer
O God, how gracious it is that even our senses awaken faith in your victory, and then we also may overcome. Amen.