For this is the love of God, that we
keep His commandments: and His
commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever
is born of God overcometh the world: and
this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith. Who is he that overcometh
the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God?
1John 5:3-5
There is an interesting phrase used by John: Whatsoever is born of God, not whosoever. You would think that John would have used "whosoever" but he did not and the reason is that everything, that includes those who believe upon Jesus Christ as the Son of God is included in the "whatsoever." God is Good, and all that is of God is good. If you are of the "whatsoever" then you are included in the good of God. Secondly, His commandments, the "whatsoever" are good, good for you to live your life by and furthermore, those commandments are the path to victory over the bad. The "world" in this sense and use is to tell us that the world is "bad" and that we need to overcome it and this we can do by our faith, a faith that determines whether or not you are included in the "whatsoever is of God."
"Son of God." Mormons teach that Jesus is the Son of God, so do Jehovah Witnesses, and other religions that attempt to be Christianized. Mormons teach that Jesus was created and in their teaching is a brother to Satan. Jehovah Witnesses teach that Jesus was created and is "a god." Most Christian Churches teach that Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Who is right? Is just believing that Jesus was and is the Son God all that is needed? John was not writing to the world, no, he was writing to Christians who were taught that Jesus is God, yes, He is also the Son of God. Sound confusing? It does! But it is not! God who is Love, Who has love for His creation gave of Himself to bring a way for people to be restored to what God had intended for people to be: a child of God who worships only Him. Yet, God did not make us puppets, no, we have the ability to choose, to choose whether to believe upon Him or to not believe upon Him. This we all can do if we simply allow God to lead us in His word, not some mysterious revelation as some teach, but in His word God is revealed and His purpose for coming to earth as the Son of God, not a separate god, but God Himself to do for this world what this world cannot do for itself. Yes, the human Jesus Christ is separate from God in His humanity, but Jesus was and is more for He is God, the Only Begotten of God. To be begotten of something is to be that something, a part of it as it is with your children. God sent His Wisdom clothed in flesh to become a man, to suffer as a man, to demonstrate that we have the ability to overcome this world. How? Keep His commandments! In the Book of John Jesus is revealed to us that He is God. These little letters come after the writing of John therefore the Church knew that Jesus is God and this from the apostle who walked and talked with God, was there when He was crucified, and saw Him after He was resurrected from the dead. This is hearing from the "horse' mouth." God said that He created, and Jesus is told to us that He created, so who created? It was God, and this includes all that God is the complete Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
If we cannot or will not understand this fact then we will never be a believer who overcomes this world. If Jesus is not God, then our salvation lies in the hands of someone who can fail. God cannot fail, and will not fail, and will accomplish His purpose. God did not fail in the beginning when man failed, no, God allows all to happen according to our will, but God is greater than our will and has and will finalize and accomplish to have a people for His name. In time, man will show what man is made of and God in time will end this world and all its evil. We have an example that God will do this, the Great Flood. Yet, in this God shows His great mercy and love: He saved eight people, our great,.........great.....grandfather, Noah. He will save you too if by faith you believe in Him, in the fact that He sent His Son to die for Sin(s) and that by keeping His commandments you too can overcome this evil world and be saved. God has not turned His back on His creation no matter how bad it is or will become. This is God's world and it is under His control and when the Last Day comes all will know, that includes us, that God is God and that He is Love and is Merciful, and Saves, others will know that they failed to acknowledge what God has provided for our salvation and at that time it will be too late: it is over!
What side will you find yourself on?
And at that time shall Michael
stand up, for the great prince
which standth for the children of
thy people: and there shall be
a time of trouble, such as never
was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one that
shall be found written in the book.
Daniel 12:1
Make your election sure
Richard L. Crumb
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