Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith. 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)
Victory begins when you recognize that Jesus Christ has given you power to overcome. Many people who say that they’re Christians simply do not believe this. They insist that they’re powerless.
You might hear them say, “You don’t understand. This temptation is too big for me.” It may be bigger than you, but it’s not too big for Christ, and if you’re born again, his Spirit lives in you.
The place where victory begins, when you have failed many times at the hands of a particular temptation, is by believing. There may be times when you say, “What a wretched man I am” (Rom. 7:24). But then you will also say, “Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ my Lord” (Rom. 7:25). The Christian believer is not left in despair.
Regeneration makes the Christian life possible. You can’t live the Christian life by turning over a new leaf. And you can’t live this life by adopting new values. You live this life by becoming a new person, and that is precisely what God offers to you in the gospel.
“The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is not the advice of God. It’s not the instructions, the requirements, or the expectations of God. It is the power of God!! For the salvation of everyone who believes.
Reflect on your approach to temptation and living the Christian life.
The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20 Understanding our wretched condition apart from Christ is profoundly helpful for us as we pray for and long for unbelieving friends and relatives to come to Christ. Think about a father and mother who have been grieving...
They cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) What is the gospel? It is the “good news” about Christ. Everything we have to say to the world is about Jesus Christ and his glory—the good news of his incarnation, his...
They cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) Paul is talking about people who don’t believe the gospel: “The god of this world (that’s Satan) has blinded their minds!” If you’re blind, it means...
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