California Federal Savings and Loan on North Federal Highway has an answer to the issue of loneliness. Many people have embraced this answer and many more will in the future. When I was there I saw this sign prominently displayed near the teller's window: "Bye, Bye loneliness ... Hello happiness. Turn the lyrics of your life around with The Money Line. Use it for a car, a boat, trip, home improvement, business, college education, bill consolidation ... and more."
Followers of Jesus have been given different names over the centuries. At first, they were called "Christians," which means "Christ ones" (Acts 11:26). The commonest word for these committed to Jesus is disciple, which means a learner. In his epistle, Paul addressed the Christians as saints, those set apart for God. They are also called believers, beloved, or children of God. Each of these names describes a distinctive characteristic of the lives of those who follow Christ. In our text, John suggests another name for Christians: overcomers. A Christian is one who overcomes.