Monday, May 26, 2008

Mon., 5/26/08 Devotion (1 Jn. 5:4b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 5:4b, where we read these words:

" . . . And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith."

Everybody tries to overcome the world--but very few succeed. Why? Because most people try doing it through their own efforts. They believe that their good deeds will overcome the world, or that their religious activities will do so.

But faith alone overcomes the world; and the reason for this is the *Object* of faith, which is brought to bear on the particular struggles being overcome. That Object is the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith alone "fetches" the Redeemer to the soul, and to the situation. This is a hard lesson to learn, but is one well worth our mastery.

[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart." --Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]