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To believe, that Jesus is God’s Son and the promised Saviour of the world, is by no means, even among Christians, any more a forgone conclusion. The miracles He performed are meanwhile declined as “miracle-tales”.

The faith, which the Apostle John attributes to conquering the world, our text, way surpasses of course the belief of Jesus’ historical existence, that He stilled the wind, walked on water, healed the sick and even bought the dead to life again.

The belief which is meant here, begins here, where we get to know ourselves. Man is, because of sin, separated from, his origin, his God: he is severed from God. We are inclined to more or less belittle this fact: “Because we are all sinners, who come short of the glory of God,” not alone in this but are found in best company, therefore no need to meditate. God will know to discern between my little debt and someone else’s enormous one. Certainly, mercy we all need but in quite different measure.” Only then, when we cannot shut our eyes any more to the devastating, deadly consequence of every sin, do we begin to acknowledge our own, personal lost condition.

Our incapability to do anything about this lost state, makes this great need of being delivered from it more distinct. We finally realize what the separation from God really means for us. We begin to suffer under this separation. Like in the parable of the lost son, grows repentance, ripens the decision to turn to the Father for help.

So, we become those who knock, of which Jesus says, that it will be opened to them. The belief is then a finding and obtaining. Reconciliation with God, through unconditional acceptance of His Grace, leads to soul rest. Out of gratitude our love grows to Him and finally deep devotion. He becomes Lord over our life.

Loved ones serve each other with joy, it is no burden. Where a man loves Christ and through Him God, there he finds pleasure in the law of the Lord. Even more: He will have no fear of the commandment, because his love makes him capable to fulfil it without difficulty. Not for nothing Paul says: “Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom 13:10).

That such a belief then turns to works, is quite understandable. The love for Christ, the turning to God leads to turning to our fellowman. Who is captured by the gospel can in no wise remain idle. Christ calls those who are in fellowship with Him to duty. To go and bring forth fruit in His commission to us. For a branch, connected to the living vine, it is not a laborious performance, but contrary, a normal manifestation of life.

To experience God in His love and to receive a glimpse of His riches, strengthens our faith. The humbling and at the same time amazing happy acknowledgement, to live by His mercy, in spite of oftentimes appearances of doubts and disobedience outside to be accepted by Him, encourages to hold fast to His Grace.

Finally, out of faith grows the living hope, that God will fully establish His glorious kingdom and His blessing of salvation for man, as promised, in His own time. In this manner, as the love to God grows, the wish also grows, that this might soon come to pass.

Christ has overcome the world and gives everyone, who believes in Him, the chance to be partaker of this same victory.