For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

                                                                                                            1 John 5:4 

Our faith in Jesus is powerful. Faith in Christ is what brings us salvation (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Galatians 2:16). Our faith is the avenue by which we are declared righteous (Romans 4:4-5). Faith is the power behind receiving the things that we ask for in prayer (Mark 11:24). Faith is the shield that protects us from every attempt of the enemy to derail us (Ephesians 3:16). And faith is how the “men of old” gained approval with God (Hebrews 11:2). Our faith in Jesus Christ means everything so it should come as no surprise that John would add to the list that our faith gives us the power to overcome the world.

To overcome is to conquer. It is to defeat, to vanquish, and to triumph over something or someone. In this case, John states that we have the power to overcome the world (meaning the world and its ways). I believe that there can be a great temptation to be drawn into the false notion that the people, events, and general course of things around us are the enemy. For example, as followers of Jesus, it is very easy to be disappointed, disillusioned, and discouraged over what we see happening in our world today. Seemingly, those who seek to go against the very things of God “get away” with their deeds. “Right” seems to be shouted down as the world continues to embrace “the wrong.” But we would do well not to be distracted by all of this. There are several biblical reasons why we should trade in our discouragement and take up the banner of conqueror.

First, Jesus spoke these words nearly two thousand years ago and they are still as true today as the day that He spoke them. Consider what He is saying to His followers: 

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

                                                                                                                   John 16:33 

Peace and courage should be characteristics of any follower of Jesus. Why? The reason that we can walk in complete peace and rest is that we serve the One who has already overcome the world. Because Jesus has already defeated the enemy, as heirs of His kingdom, we have already done the same. So when we “feel” like we are being unheard, marginalized, and shunned, remember, the reality is that the victory is already ours.

Secondly, our spiritual enemy is not other human beings. Consider the words of Paul: 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  

                                                                                                         Ephesians 6:12-13 

We are waging a spiritual war. We do not fight like the world with weapons designed to physically eliminate an opponent. We fight using spiritual arguments and truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we are drawn into the faulty concept of thinking that the next door neighbor is our enemy, then our desire to love, pray for, and bless him/her soon subsides. But when we realize that Jesus has already won the battle, that nothing escapes His notice or control, and that our enemy is the devil, not other people, then we are fully equipped to carry out the mission of the church…to share the good news. And that leads us to our last point. 

And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

                                                                                                            Mark 16:15-16

Lastly, we should want to see people come to know Jesus Christ. If we make them our enemies (in our minds and hearts), then we will become less willing to assist them in spiritual things. But when we realize that apart from Jesus, we are just unredeemed sinners as the rest (James 2:10) and when we acknowledge that the victory won by Christ is for them also, we are then motivated to share the good news, proclaiming what Jesus has done for us.

Our faith in Jesus is powerful! Let’s guard ourselves from ever thinking that the body of Christ is somehow less than what Jesus intended for us to be. Our faith gives us the power to walk in peace, courage, confidence, and to declare that, in Jesus, we truly have overcome the world!

Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

                                                                                                                   1 John 5:5