Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 95th. Edition.
Dear Family,
Today’s passage (1 John 5:3-5) continues with the theme of assurance. Assurance as we said before, is demonstrated in a transformed life.
Obeying (v. 3). Those who love God will be distinguished by their obedience. But the commandments they obey are not a yoke of slavery, overburdening the one who would obey. On the contrary, they are not as burdensome as the worldly or legalistic alternatives. Jesus declared that taking his yoke upon oneself was equivalent to unburdening oneself and obtaining rest, because, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The alternatives available to us – license or legalism, both lead to enslavement and no relief from the burden of sin. In Christ, the situation is the opposite:
Overcoming (vv. 4-5). We are assured that we will overcome. What we need to remember is that the enemy we battle daily and the subject of spiritual warfare is usually not a demon lurking in the shadows, but the sinful nature that we must master. Remember that the world was earlier defined as that which contains the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (2:16) The Instrument of Victory (v. 4).
We overcome by faith. That means trusting God to give us victory over our base appetites and desires. Faith is also about focus. If we believe in God, then our minds should be preoccupied with things of God (Philippians 4:8). Such thoughts are acquired through meditation in his word and prayer. Victory will not come if we do not equip our minds for battle. The Identity of the Victor (v. 5). Not just anyone can overcome the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). The sinful nature seeks to assert itself and will do so in the majority of people. The person who has put his faith in Jesus as the Son of God, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), is the person God will baptize with his Spirit (Luke 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). The believer then has the power within him/her to overcome. Yielding to the indwelling Spirit yields in the believer the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
What others find burdensome, the believer enjoys, being empowered by the Holy Spirit. How is it with you? Are you bound in the world, fulfilling the desires of sinful nature? It may be time to “Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.