FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
GREATER IS HE
John is encouraging Christians, past and present, to have hope because He who is “in” the Christian is greater than he who is in the world. This week we looked at how to live in the world but not be of the world, and John is speaking to Christians amidst persecution and suffering to take heart.
A few questions:
- Who is in us who is greater? A: The Holy Spirit. The third person of the Triune God, who abides in every Christian upon conversion. God himself goes with us, and He is greater!
- Who is He in the world? A: The Enemy (Satan). The enemy is the prince of this age, in which are sin, suffering, and death.
So we take great hope knowing that the Spirit of God that is with us is greater than the Enemy who is around us. We do not walk in fear or frustration because the Spirit of God goes before us. Ultimately, we know that God is victorious over sin and death once and forever. This gives us the ability to walk into these spaces of sin and suffering with CONFIDENCE because God is greater than the enemy.
Yet, this is not an invitation to have more self-confidence. Left to our own devices we are a weak and sinful people, but equipped and walking with the Spirit of God, we do not fear; we walk in victory! Hear the Word of God once again:
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, 1 John 4:4 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We desire to walk with your Spirit. Help us to have confidence and hope in you and not in ourselves. You are greater. We praise you. Father, we pray this now through The Son, and By the Spirit. Amen.
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