Daily Devotions
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
We prize victory highly. Olympic competition stirs national pride. Children grow up in a world of highly competitive sports. That spirit translates into a lifelong pursuit of winning. We often hear that the self-made person wins the victory. If we try hard enough, overcome hardships, and build on achievements, we are told, we will gain victory. This philosophy sounds so American that we are tempted to follow it. But the unholy trinity of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh cannot be defeated by our puny efforts.
John instead points outside ourselves to faith in Jesus, the Son of God, who died to save the world from sin. He grasps Him, clings to Him alone for salvation.
Victory for the individual comes only through believing in this same Jesus Christ. By the waters of Baptism the Christian is born anew into this victory. By receiving the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion, the victory is reinforced and celebrated. By feeding on the Word of the Savior, the Christian not only receives assurance of eternal life in heaven but also gains power for daily victorious living.
Yes, we need determination, discipline, and confidence for the daily struggle against the world. But our God-given faith in Jesus, the Son of God, supplies us with the power to win the victory. The Easter glow reminds us of Jesus’ magnificent victory over death and assures us that the victory is ours for each day and for eternity.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that through your suffering death and resurrection, I now have the victory that overcomes death and assures me of eternal life with You. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)