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DECEMBER 7
I have slain them by the words 1 John 5:1–21
of My mouth; Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ
And your judgments are like light 5 is born of God, and everyone who loves
that goes forth.
6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, Him who begot also loves him who is begotten
of Him. By this we know that we love the
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And the knowledge of God more children of God, when we love God and keep
than burnt offerings.
His commandments. For this is the love of
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7 “But like men they transgressed the God, that we keep His commandments. And
covenant; His commandments are not burdensome. For
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There they dealt treacherously with Me. whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers And this is the victory that has overcome the
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And defiled with blood. world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes
9 As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the
So the company of priests murder on Son of God?
the way to Shechem;
Surely they commit lewdness.
10 I have seen a horrible thing in the
house of Israel: 5:4 overcomes. John clearly defines who
There is the harlotry of Ephraim; these overcomers are:they are all who believe
Israel is defiled. that Jesus is God’s Son,and all that means.The
11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed overcomers are believers—all of them (2:13).
for you, The word for “overcomer”comes from a Greek
When I return the captives of My people. word meaning “to conquer,”“to have victory,”
“to have superiority,” or “conquering power.”
Psalm 139:1–6
The word reflects a genuine superiority that
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. leads to overwhelming success. The victory is
demonstrable; it involves overthrowing an
O LORD, You have searched me enemy so that the victory is seen by all. Jesus
and known me.
also used this word to describe Himself (John
16:33). Because of believers’union with Christ,
they too partake in His victory (Rom. 8:37;
2Cor.2:14).The word “overcomes”in the origi-
139:1 searched me. As it has been in David’s nal language conveys the idea that the believ-
life, he prays later that it will continue to be er has continual victory over the world.
(vv. 23,24). David understands that nothing
inside of him can be hidden from God.
6 This is He who came by water and blood—
Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water
You know my sitting down and my and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears wit-
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rising up; ness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are
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You understand my thought afar off. three that bear witness in heaven: the Father,
You comprehend my path and my lying the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three
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down, are one. And there are three that bear witness
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And are acquainted with all my ways. on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood;
For there is not a word on my tongue, and these three agree as one.
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But behold, O LORD, You know it 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness
altogether. of God is greater; for this is the witness of God
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You have hedged me behind and before, which He has testified of His Son. He who
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And laid Your hand upon me. believes in the Son of God has the witness in
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful himself; he who does not believe God has made
for me; Him a liar, because he has not believed the tes-
It is high, I cannot attain it. timony that God has given of His Son. And this
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is the testimony: that God has given us eternal
Proverbs 29:19
life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the
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19 A servant will not be corrected by Son has life; he who does not have the Son of
mere words; God does not have life. These things I have
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For though he understands, written to you who believe in the name of the
he will not respond. Son of God, that you may know that you have
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