Daily Journal: 7 July

The Overcoming, Validating,

Identifying Power

of Christ’s Love

1 Corinthians 4:12-13 (NLT)

We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.

How can this be when the bible tells me that through Jesus Christ I am more than an overcomer?

Romans 8:37-38 (NIV)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The bible tells me not to be afraid because Jesus has overcome the world. How can this make a difference in my life?

John 6:33 (NLT)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I read 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 and it doesn’t seem overcoming. How do I reconcile that?

Jesus overcame sin and death. He was victorious over their power. I believe that because of His death and resurrection. Now, through Him, He gives me the same victory over sin, too.

Having the peace of Jesus isn’t a passive thing. It’s not a quiet, subdued, introspective thing. It’s spiritual power. When we experience suffering we don’t sit passively, accepting trouble against us. We don’t crawl into a hole to lick our wounds. We don’t accept the powers of darkness around us, that try to deceive us and rob us of what Jesus died for. Jesus is the light of the world so we have the power of light to overcome the powers of darkness in this world.

John 8:12 (ESV)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

Jesus said nothing can separate us from His love and we will have the light of life itself, which has already overcome darkness and death itself. He now rules over life and death and sin and darkness.

Song of Solomon 8:6 (GWT)

Wear me as a signet ring on your heart, as a ring on your hand. Love is as overpowering as death. Devotion is as unyielding as the grave. Love’s flames are flames of fire, flames that come from the Lord.

A signet ring is a sign of someone’s legal ownership and authenticity; it seals what’s inside. This is saying I am authenticated by God; I am legally owned by Him. He wants me to wear Him like an authentication, a validation, where He seals me inside of Him and all that He is. That gives me His power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

In order for God’s power to be active and powerful in my life, to be able to bless those who curse me and pray for those who misuse me, I have to receive His love, be bound by His love and authentication, apply His love around me by walking in His ownership of me, and live by how His love validates me.

That is to say, I don’t receive the curses of others or the abuse or misuse of others because I am validated and authenticated already in Christ’s love for me. Their treatment cannot separate me from Christ’s love. I don’t identify with them, with what they say or what they do so they have no power over me. I am identified in Christ’s love, which has overcome everything concerning the powers of darkness.

I pray we understand this powerful truth and walk in the overcoming, validating, identifying power of Christ's love.