Lord, You Said

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;
and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
- 1 John 5:4 -

Many Christians know what it is like to struggle with sin, self and the world, but often they look at the lack of strength they have and despair, and so they live defeated lives.  There are two reasons for this: 1) they do not know the power of God available to them in his Word, and 2) they have not laid hold of that power by faith. Do you feel as if you are not sure you will go to heaven when you die?  If you have believed, Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life (Jn 6:47)."  Say to yourself, "Jesus said it, so it must be true." and rejoice! Do you feel tempted to sin?  God's Word says, "and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness (Rom 6:18)."  Look up to Christ and say, "Lord, I am tempted.  Will you give me your righteousness?" and believe that he has heard you.  Then go off in victory, knowing that sin has no power over you. Do you feel the guilt of confessed sin?  Turn to 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and remind yourself, "God said I'm forgiven."  Dwell on it no more! Do you feel doubt in God's Word?  John 17:17 says, "Thy word is truth."  God cannot lie.  He will always keep his promises. If we look to ourselves - our weakness and our sins - we will live defeated lives.  We must refuse to do that, and look continuously at God's promises, trusting in him to fulfill them for us.  No Christian should live a defeated life, but he ought to live victoriously: apprehending the grace of God by faith by holding God to His word, saying, "Lord, you said." This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 Jn 5:14,15)