Becoming a Faithful Kingdom Servant, Like Jesus
Overcoming!
An Overcoming Love
(To Love is Not an Option)
Am I living a life that is overcoming? Before that question
is answered I need to make an assessment. And in order
to make a proper assessment, I need to identify a
standard of reference. I’m not asking the question, “Am I
saved?”; although that question will be answered in the
assessment. But the question on the table is, “Am I living a
life that is overcoming?”. Now, back to that standard of
reference. My standard of reference is the Bible (The
Word of God). The life that is overcoming must be defined
by the Word of God. And if it is defined by the Word of
God, it can only be tested by the Word of God. Therefore,
my reference is the Word of God. The Word of God tells
us in 2 Timothy 3:16,17: “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness, that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work.”
Our focus scripture for the year 1John 5:4 is set in a
greater context. A context of love. Obviously,
this love starts with God Himself, but is then commanded by all who
are born of God to demonstrate. In this context (1John
4:7-5:1-5) we find that loving our brother and sister is a
key indicator that we are born of God. And remember that
being born of God is the prerequisite for living the
overcoming life. The overcoming life is filled with faith.
Faith is my positive obedient response to what God has
commanded of me. It is not enough to love God, because
if we love God, we will love our brother and sister that He
has begotten, just as He has commanded (John 15:12).
It is impossible to live the overcoming life to its fullest
when we’re having challenges concerning love. To the
extent that we love, will be the blessing that we experience
in our walk with Jesus. If we love little, we experience little
in our relationship with God. If we love liberally, we will
experience much in our relationship with God.
This love is identified in several ways.
This list is not all
inclusive, but it is foundational:
- Love is pro-active- this means that we are not looking
for love, we are looking to love first. Just as God
demonstrated His love for us first, we are to do the
same for others. John 3:16, Rom 5:8 (love
demonstrated), 1John 4:10 (this is love, not that we
loved….) - Love is forgiving- We are to forgive the most
egregious offenses. Luke 23:34 (Jesus on cross),
Eph 4:32 (forgive one another), Acts 7:60 (Stephen) - Love is relational (kinship)- We are to fellowship with
one another, be with one another. Heb 2:10-12 (Jesus
was not ashamed to be with us.) Heb 10:25 (forsake
not the assembling) Acts 2:40-47 (breaking bread
together) - Love is need meeting- Acts (sold to provide) Luke
12:32 (sell your possessions and give.)
Is your love doing this? Before you answer, remember that
those who are born of God can love like this. If not the
Lord would not have commanded it (John 13:34,35).
