1 John 5:1
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"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.
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.
Gayle Pope, '03
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Quincy, Ill.
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,
4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.
5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This 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. (New Revised Standard Version)
Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah has God as his father, and everyone who loves a father loves his offspring too. 2 Here is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God, we also do what he commands. 3 For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, 4 because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust. 5 Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?
6 He is the one who came by means of water and blood, Yeshua the Messiah — not with water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
(Complete Jewish Bible)"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.
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.
Gayle Pope, '03
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Quincy, Ill.
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,
4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.
5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This 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. (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
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