Victory!
But, athletic victories are nothing compared to the victory that overcomes the world….1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
All victories that man achieves on earth pale in comparison to the spiritual victory that the Apostle John calls the victory that overcomes the world. This is a victory that is won by faith in Jesus Christ and is made possible by being born again. This victory and faith come to everyone who has been born of God. Everyone means all (100 %) of those born of God overcome the world. All human beings are prisoners and slaves of sin until they are born again. Since slaves cannot free themselves, God in his mercy and grace regenerates and frees them from the power of sin. After being freed from sin’s bondage, sinners turn with faith and repentance to Jesus Christ. This is the victory that overcomes the world. This victory results in a love for God and desire to obey his commandments, and everything flows from the grace of God that is wrought in the hearts of those born again.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Regenerated believers are now slaves of righteousness and while they stumble and fall in their earthly journey, they are headed in the direction that overcomes the world. The victory is assured. Praise God that his grace not only saves and justifies, it also sanctifies more and more unto righteousness.
posted by jazzycat at 2:11 PM
5 Comments:
It is an oddity that many a "believer" thinks that the extent of salvation is justification then glorification...they abhor the idea of sanctification, as if it's an unbiblical concept.
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit, unto OBEDIENCE and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] CONFORMED to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
As it has been said before, if your faith hasn't changed, your faith hasn't saved you.
-Scribe
January 16, 2007 7:40 PM
"Regenerated believers are now slaves of righteousness and while they stumble and fall in their earthly journey, they are headed in the direction that overcomes the world. The victory is assured. Praise God that his grace not only saves and justifies, it also sanctifies more and more unto righteousness."
That is a PERFECT summary! I do not know how it could be better said.
January 17, 2007 7:56 AM
And let's not forget...
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
:)
Good thoughts, Wayne
January 17, 2007 2:23 PM
And let's not forget...
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
:)
Good thoughts, Wayne
January 17, 2007 2:28 PM
Sheep and swine can both end up in the mire. Yet the essential difference in their two natures is quie visible from the reaction each has to its fallen condition. While sheep do stray and stumble into the mire,they quickly loathe the situation and struggle to get free. They may be dirty, but they desire to be clean. They may be stuck, but they bleat for their shepherd to come and save them out of the muck. But swine, in keeping with their nature, wallow in the muck, content to stay there all day. JOHN ENSOR
January 17, 2007 5:58 PM
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