Faith: the Victory that Overcomes the World
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands… for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:3-4)
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The world is such a force that beacons and calls believers to go off the railroad to a beautiful eternal destiny. Love for the world manifests in scandalous deals with wealth, women and wine. The world seems to use strong chains that have brought down even highly anointed men. Jesus sees in the world a force that must be overcome if there is to be victory. We will soon see this, even as Apostle John brings us encouragement and assurance about overcoming the world by walking in faith. First, we find John writing his first letter with a clear purpose: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1John 5:13-14). In this purpose statement are tones of both assurance and invitation to seek God’s will.
How do we overcome the world? John insists that “everyone born of God overcomes the world”, and this is a sign of love for God – keeping his commands. The Apostle then adds, “this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1John 5:3-4). I call it the continuing, persistent faith; this can advance a believer against the drag, friction, and air resistance. A flying aeroplane depends on its cruising speed working with aerodynamics, and this keeps it flying; it needs only a little power to overcome air resistance. But without that power, and if it slows down below a certain threshold speed, it will enter a stall and end up crashing! Just like these natural phenomena are real, so it is in the spiritual world; there is spiritual air resistance against advancing in our walk with God; this must be overcome by walking in faith. Don’t only stand in faith; walk and keep walking in faith so that you advance and overcome the world in the end.
Earlier on, Jesus had warned about the spiritual air resistance: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33 AMPC). Jesus is here both warning and assuring his listeners, and we do well to pay keen attention and act.
Faith is an active journey: John concludes his letter with this last verse: Dear children, keep away from [idols] anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (5:21 NLT). Keep walking in faith.
God bless you all. Have a Blessed Easter Season!