JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are First John 5, verses 3 through 5.

From the New Living Translation: “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 real champion is Jesus, who overcame the world by His perfect obedience to the will of God. He resisted the temptations of the devil by the power of God’s Word. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins by the power of His blood.  Then, He gave us the hope of eternal life by the power of His resurrection.

His Presence in our lives gives us the power to overcome the world. Out of the overflow of life’s most important relationship, we are moved to obey God’s commands. We are set free from the power of darkness, and live in the light of grace and truth.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust and obey God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com