1 John 5:4-5 - Victory

Today, Wednesday September 8 Victory 1 John 5:4-5 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” The name of the Greek goddess of victory was Nike, which comes from the Greek word nike (NEE-kay) which simply means victory. But what does victory have to do with maturing love? We live in a real world and are beset with formidable obstacles. It is not always easy to obey God. It is much easier to drift with the world, disobey Him, and "do your own thing." But the genuine follower of Jesus is "born of God." This means we have the divine nature within us, and it is impossible for this divine nature to disobey God. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4). If the old nature is in control of us, we disobey God; but if the new nature is in control, we obey God. The world appeals to the old nature (1 John 2:15-17) and tries to make God's commandments seem burdensome. Our victory is a result of faith, and we grow in faith as we grow in love. The more you love someone, the easier it is to trust him. The more our love for Christ is perfected, the more our faith in Christ is perfected too; because faith and love mature together. The word overcame is a favorite with John; he uses it in 1 John 2:13-14 with reference to overcoming the devil. He uses it seven times in Revelation to describe believers and the blessings they receive (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). He is not describing a special class of believers. Rather, he is using the word overcomer as a name for the true Christian. Because we have been born of God, we are overcomers. We are told that a soldier in the army of Alexander the Great was not acting bravely in battle. When he should have been pressing ahead, he was lingering behind. The great general approached him and asked, "What is your name, soldier?" The man replied, "My name, sir, is Alexander." The general looked him straight in the eye and said firmly: "Soldier, get in there and fight—or change your name!" What is our name? "Children of God—the born-again ones of God." Alexander the Great wanted his name to be a symbol of courage; our name carries with it assurance of victory. To be born of God means to share God's victory. This is a victory of faith, but faith in what? Faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God! The person who overcomes the world is the one "who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:5). It is not faith in ourselves, but faith in Christ, that gives us the victory. "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The evidence of our maturing and growing love for our heavenly Father will be confidence and boldness as we deal with our fear of the past, present and future. It will be honesty and truthfulness so we will not have to be pretenders or hypocrites. It will be joyful obedience to our Father’s commandments and it also will guarantee us victorious living as we express our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God! (1 John 4:17-5:5) I trust you have this evidence in your life today! God bless!