1 John 5:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 5Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. Verse 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. Verse 3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, Verse 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Verse 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Verse 6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
Devotion
The Alamo, a 2004 film, was on TV. I cringed as the brave resisters holed up in the Alamo were brutally overcome by Santa Ana's troops, even as the Texans dished out all the brutality they could muster in their own defense. It seems the combination of human might, weapons and tactical superiority wins. But here in 1 John it says that the world is conquered by whatever is born of God, by our faith and by the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. I imagine people of faith resided on both sides of the Alamo battle. The film did show moving instances of love, faithfulness and compassion. It is gut-wrenching to face the violent ways we humans resolve disagreements. What good news it is that, even in the midst of bloody reality, God's love, born in us through faith in Christ, conquers all.
Prayer
Holy and mighty God, forgive us for all the sinful ways we try to achieve our worldly victories. You have shown us the better way and given us access to the power of love. Help us to live in you and carry your love into our battles with the world. Amen.