1 John 5:1-5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that 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 grievous. (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
As I study these scriptures, the
word “whosoever” stands out in my mind. (I believe theologians would not choose this
particular word as their key in these verses.)
However based on these verses, I see two “whosoever’[s]” within
these Words of God. The first “whosoever” is he that
“believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.”
The second “Whosoever” is defined by omission, yet is implied,
he is “that believeth not.”
John
3:18 He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Those
“whosoever’[s]” that “believeth not” are people
who deprive those of us who “believeth that Jesus is the
Son of God.” They are against our rights to worship, to speak
freely, and publically. (I know that not
all atheists or non-believers will cause these deprivations to Christians. Only a
few have demeaned Jesus to the point that we are not allowed to speak His name.) Yet, Muslims are allowed to speak and use the
name of Mohammed freely.
We
as believers, (“whosoever[‘s] that do believe,”) are commanded by
God to seek the lost and show them the Gospel of Christ, allowing The Holy
Spirit to lead them with His Holy Conviction.
Jesus told us, “Go ye” and “preach
the gospel.” This is not a
suggestion or something to think about. It is His command.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
We are also commanded to do as Jesus was commanded. He came to earth “to
seek and to save that which was lost.” By His command, that is also our task.
Luke
19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost.
We are told in our text that “his
commandments are not grievous.” We may find
them inconvenient, but never above what we can bear. We must get past inconvenience, be faithful
in Church and do God’s Will, not our own.
Matthew
11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
This is how we receive “the
victory.” In so doing, we “overcometh
the world.” Our primary “victory” was accepting
Jesus The Christ as our personal Saviour.
Now as a Christian, we must invest in Christ’s realm and leave the world
behind. (This may mean leaving friends
and family behind, and acquiring new friends and family.) We must strive to win the Victory. It is our
“Victory In Jesus.”
Which
“whosoever” are you? “Are
you a believer, or a non-believer? Are
you striving to win with Jesus, or with the world? Are you expecting a change? (Change
requires a desire on your part.) God
will accept you, He will help you, but first you must say, “yes” to Jesus The
Christ.”
Romans
10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
What God asks of you is to faithfully (sincerely)
believe that God raised Jesus, His Son, from the grave. If you believe this and confess this knowledge
to others, God has saved you. He will
grant you eternal life.
Joel
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:...
Delivered, (saved,) and within the eternal arms of
Jesus to a life in heaven eternally. Call
on His name, (NOW before it is eternally too late.)
Bro John R. E Chastain
Baptist Evangelist
<www.johnchastain.com>
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