“We win the victory over the world by means of our faith.” 1 John 5:4 Today’s English Version
“If ordinary is all that’s required, I would say that most of us are prime candidates.”
My thoughts today are about “ordinary people doing the extraordinary.”
Whether it’s a sports competition or a friendly, family game at the kitchen table, it feels good to win, doesn’t it? But winning does not seem to come so easily in the area that matters most, everyday life. The world – as the Bible describes this daily arena of the spiritual conflict of culture and values – can be a formidable adversary at times. But do not be anxious; victory is possible, even assured for the true child of God.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even your faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5 NIV. Obviously, it is very important that you establish that you are born of God, therefore empowered to overcome. “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult.” 1 John 5:3 NLT. Love and obedience are the evidences of the person who is born of God.
Jesus said this in the most plain and simple way, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 NIV. Jesus asked a question in the Bible that pierced my heart when just a teen, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things I say?” Luke 6:47 NIV. I suggest that any one of us is capable of accurately acknowledging who God is, yet doing things inconsistent with one’s proclamation of faith. That inconsistency will allow the world to overcome you rather than your overcoming the world.
Ever feel ordinary? Most of us are. Ordinary is a good word to describe any of us, but not God; however, extraordinary seems to fit God well. See Ephesians 3:20-21. The good news is this: the most ordinary person convinced of the authority and ability of their extraordinary God can successfully overcome a world system that would otherwise confront and seduce them. The Bible is God’s story of using ordinary people like you and me to do extraordinary things. If ordinary is all that’s required, I would say that most of us are prime candidates. See Philippians 2:13 NLT/Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT.
Ordinary is not so bad when you believe extraordinary accomplishments are within the reach of your faith – a faith that safe and secure in Christ and His love nothing can defeat you. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Read Romans 8:35-39 NIV. I am not sure what more than a conqueror is, but I know that it is surely enough to make you victorious over all, and with some to spare. Now that’s extraordinary!
My prayer for you today is to be confident that you and Jesus will always be enough.