(Scripture references are from the NLT)
Victory
This is the Word of God as given to the Apostle John:
1 John 5:1-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God…
The Word of God is so concise, and so packed full of meaning. “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God”. Therefore, if you want to be a child of God, you must believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Also, if you are a child of God, and you love the Father, then you will love His Children. SO you must love those in the Church. This implies that you must attend Church… for how can you love people without having a relationship with them?
“Loving God means keeping His commandments…” If you love God, you must be obedient to His Word, knowing that we achieve Victory through our faith. Only those that believe that Jesus is the Son of God can win the battle, for every “child of God” defeats this evil world. If you love God, you will want to know what is in the Bible… what does His Word say… so we can be obedient to it.
Answered Prayer
1 John 5:13-15
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for…
The Apostle John is trying to build us up in our most Holy Faith. He is assuring us that we have eternal life, and as we ask for what pleases our Lord, He will give us what we ask for. If we Love God, we can expect answers to our prayers.
1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Guard your heart… and keep God supreme.