Owned!

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 AMPC

The questions that have always come up for discussion over the past few days are on identity and ownership. Like it has always been said, when you know who you are and who you belong to, impact is non negotiable. Today's extract is written by John the Beloved, someone who had personal encounter with the One referred to as love himself. He know who he was, and as seen in today's extract, he would that we also know who we are.

Am I of God? Do I belong to God? Am I the one who sees myself in that light, or does God also know me as his own? Have I taken advantage of the Life offered by him? Let it be settled today that ownership by God is determined by surrender to him. You cannot claim sonship or identity if you have not accepted him as your Lord and Saviour. One leads to the other.

When you have settled ownership, the benefits also come. Read again: you have already defeated the devil. It does not say we will, but that we have already defeated him. The life I have is one that maintains victory. I do not have to fight a new war; the only war is to maintain the victory that has already been sealed by the one who now owns me. I am called to stand in the strength of the One whose life conquered death, sin and the grave and has sealed eternal redemption for me. What else could I want?

The reason for this position is simple: the One who calls is greater than anyone or anything else. He is before all time, and he is called the Ancient of Days. Nothing that comes after him can defeat him, because he is the origin of everything else. Nothing created by him can work contrary to his purpose and will. However, for this to be personally true for me, He has got to be living INSIDE of me.

Does he live IN you? Has his life become a personal experience for you? The devil is strong, and can defeat anyone, but safety and victory is ONLY guaranteed in and through God, who is all powerful. Can I trust his power? Does my present life testify that he is my God? His time of favour is here.