This Is Hard Work!

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.

THERE ARE TIMES when doing God’s will seems like it’s too much, too hard, too impossible. John must have heard a few complaints, and believers under his leadership had real issues: The government was against them, taking businesses, separating families, and even killing Christians. It had to have been tempting to pull up short. But John goes beyond a pep talk. He doesn’t guilt them into obedience. Rather, John explains how to obey: “This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:3-5, NIV).

John acknowledges that obedience seems like a burden, then goes on to explain the key to victory: faith in Jesus. Earlier in the same letter, he reminds them of the power that lies just beneath the surface of their own skin: First John 4:4 explains, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (NIV).

Jesus in them. The Christ who rose from the grave gives his resurrection power to all of us who believe. He won at the Cross, and he can win anytime we give him the cross he has asked us to bear. We can be confident in our victory because Jesus is victor. His very essence is victory till the end.

“God, I can’t, but through your power, I can!”