December 27,2019
1 John 5:1-12 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Spiritual truths can be a challenge for people to understand, because the things of God are not innate to our minds. The wisdom that comes from God is spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). The only One who knows the mind of God is the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:12). Therefore, God gave the Spirit of Truth to help us connect the “faith” dots. Our faith is what brings us into victory and we need help bringing things together—to gain understanding—within our natural minds. If we do not understand what God is saying in his Word, then we cannot “do” what we “hear.” We are called to be “doers” of the Word and not “hearers” only (James 1:22). The Word of God renews our minds; it is an ongoing process (Eph. 4:23). Obeying or “doing” the Word is how we plant Truth in our hearts and minds and it is the Word of Truth that saves our souls (mind/will/emotions) from sin and error (James 1:23).
In our passage today, the Apostle John teaches Truth about spiritual children and how they are identified. This Truth helps the children connect the “faith” dots. If we believe Jesus is the Son of God, then we have been spiritually “fathered” by Almighty God who is Love. We have been impregnated by the Spirit of Truth. Now, that Seed—Christ—is ready to grow spiritual Life within us which brings ongoing understanding. As we grow spiritually, we look more and more like Jesus—the firstborn Son of God.
1 John 5:1-2 The Proof of Love and the Victory of Faith
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is God’s spiritual child and has been fathered by God himself. And everyone who loves Father God loves his children as well. 2 This is how we can be sure that we love the children of God: by having a passionate love for God and by obedience to his commands.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always having victory laid out before me. I know I can overcome the world as I feed on the Word and obey it. I want to live like Jesus, so I reflect your true character. In Jesus’ name. Amen.