Tues., 5/26/20 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 (of necessity) tries to overcome the world—but very few succeed. Why? Because most people try doing it through their own efforts. They be-lieve that their good deeds will overcome the world, or that their religious or philanthropic 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 Person of 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"]