FAITH IS THE VICTORY
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” I John 5:4, 5
Although all of us know the taste of discouragement and defeat in our spiritual progress, none of us would want to live defeated lives. We want to be on the winning side. According to God’s Word, we are destined to win. The victory that we are promised is not a result of our personal effort or ability, but is a result of our position in Christ and our faith in Him.
The world is an ever-present foe with which we must continually contend. It is in the world and through the world’s system that we find temptation, spiritual warfare, false imaginations, etc. This word world is found three times in the short epistle of I John. I John 5:19 says, “the whole world lieth in wickedness.” We are surrounded and outnumbered, but our Commander In Chief has assured us of victory. In spite of the overwhelming odds that are against us, we have been born into a winning family and are now a part of a winning tradition. Of course, the birth that places us into this promising position is the new birth. When we repented of our sins and placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Victor took up residence inside us.
Overcoming the world begins with and is made possible by the fact that we are indwelt and enabled by the presence of Christ. He has never lost a battle. He never yielded to temptation when He walked upon this earth. The world could not defeat Him. He conquered death, raising from the dead. The world is powerful, but it is no match for the One who lives within us. I John 4:4 tells us, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
In this world, we will all face spiritual battles. In ourselves, we are not wise enough, strong enough, or good enough to win. But as we depend on the One Who lives within, claiming His power and promises, He makes victory possible. In ourselves, we would surely fail, but “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). It is by faith that we experience victory, because our faith is looking to and relying on our Victor. Look to Him, and let Him lead to victory.