1 John 5:1–5 (NKJV)
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
In the last month I have had the same conversation with two people. Each stated they did not go to church but read their Bible. I applaud those who read their Bible but wonder how much they believe what they read. I know Satan knows the Bible well. He probably could quote it verbatim in any language. Again, I applaud those who read the Bible. But….
Do people reading the Bible believe in the One who wrote the Bible. Do they know the main character of the Bible. Have they placed their trust, their faith in the One mentioned in the first verse of the Bible, the Creator of all things…including we earthly creatures, people. Do they place their trust in the One who ends the Bible, Jesus Christ. Revelation 22:20–21 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Again, those who read the Bible should be applauded.
John writes about knowing God. If we believe in the Jesus of the Bible, we must be obedient to His Word. There are those who would place Jesus on the same level as Buddha or Mohamid, or some other false god. John states that we know God by our love and the keeping of His commandments. Those who have been born of God are overcomers. How do we know we have true faith in God? First, we have been born of God. Second, we Keep His commandments. Third, we are overcomers.
Satan is going to throw everything he can to keep followers of Jesus from being obedient to Him. If we have truly accepted Christ, then Satan has lost the war for our soul. But Satan does not quit. He will do everything he can to keep us from being obedient to God. I started this devotion by stating two conversations with two people who read their Bibles but did not go to church. One of the things Satan does not want is for Christians to come together and worship God. Read the Bible without the fellowship, prayer, and learning found in church and Satan will have a hey day leading you down the wrong road.
Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The early church met often during the week. We too should be meeting often in fellowship with one another.