Not Bound!

The fact death could not bind Jesus was revealed through His resurrection from the dead; also evidencing the truth that He is the Son of God. ( Romans 1:4) The fact Jesus was not bound to this world was made evident by His ascension back to Heaven. ( Acts 1:9-11) The reality of our Lord’s existence transcends the time and place of this world and to have our life bound up in His is to find we are not bound by the world either.

There are many ways in which the world tries to retain its grip on us. How well are we resisting? If we are trying to win the battle alone, it is a battle we will lose. Left to ourselves we are bound to be lost. Without Jesus we would still be in bondage to sin. It is through Jesus that deliverance from sin has been made possible. We have also been freed from bondage to this realm. However, if Jesus is not truly acknowledged for Who He is, the benefit of what He came to this earth to accomplish will not be received.

John encouraged…
“(4) For everyone who has been born of God OVERCOMES THE WORLD. And this is the victory that has OVERCOME THE WORLD -- our faith. (5) Who is it that OVERCOMES THE WORLD except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” ( 1 John 5:4-5 ESV)

Three times in these two verses John made reference to OVERCOMING THE WORLD. There is much in this world to OVERCOME. There may be much within ourselves still to OVERCOME. The good news is that when our life is bound up in JESUS we will find the aid necessary to become OVERCOMERS. However, we must be born of God, must have genuine faith, and must also truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

These verses in the New Living Translation read as follows:
“(4) For every child of God defeats this evil world by TRUSTING CHRIST TO GIVE THE VICTORY. (5) And THE ONES WHO WIN THIS BATTLE against the world are THE ONES WHO BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD.” [NLT, © 1997 Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House]

In Christ we can be “more than conquerors.” ( Romans 8:37) We are not bound by the things of this realm because our eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ provides the victory over sin and death. ( 1 Corinthians 15:56-57) And since we are not bound by the standards and wisdom of this world, let us be steadfast, “always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:58)

Yes, in Jesus Christ we will OVERCOME it all, but only in Him! May we continue following and trusting in Jesus so as to break the grip this world desires to retain on us.

Have a great day KNOWING THE VICTORY IN CHRIST!
Carl

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