The Power of the Overcomer

The world is a most formidable foe. By turning our eyes upon Jesus continually we can overcome the world and all its lusts, entrapments, and schemes.

The Power of the Overcomer

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

(1 John 5:4-5)

Twenty-five years ago on this day, 9-11, our nation was attacked by terrorists, and their acts of terror literally changed our world as we knew it. My heart goes out to the many whose lives are still marred by that tragic day. But also on this day, I choose to remember someone who is dear to me, and that is my first cousin, Commander Scott Morton, a faithful follower of Jesus who served as a chaplain in the Navy for 26 years. Today (yes, 9-11) is his birthday!

In our scripture verse for today, the verb translated "is born" is a perfect passive verb in Greek. God has saved us, given us the new birth, and this event in the past has continuous results in the present. The one who receives this new birth overcomes (nikao) the world. Overcomes is in the present tense; we continually overcome the world. This does not mean we live one life of constant victory in our battle with the world, but it does mean we win a lot more than we lose.

And what is it that John says we overcome? The cosmos, the world. It is the spiritual world where Satan has power and authority. John Stott describes the world in terms of moral, intellectual, and physical pressures. "Sometimes these are moral pressures—the outlook, standards, and preoccupations of a godless, secular society, 'the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.' Sometimes they are intellectual (heresy) and sometimes physical (persecution). But whatever form the world's assault upon the Church may take, the victory is ours." (Source: Stott, The Epistles of John, p. 175)

The world is a most formidable foe. By turning our eyes upon Jesus initially and continually we can overcome the world and all its lusts, entrapments, and schemes. "And this is the victory (nike) that has overcome (nikao) the world—our faith." The key to entering the Christian life is the same key to living the Christian life, and that is with child-like faith in God. John Yates, a Baptist pastor in 1891, wrote, "Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory, that overcomes the world."

In 1 John 5:4-5, I see a past faith and a present faith. Our past faith or belief in Jesus Christ for salvation and current or present faith in Jesus right now are both vitally important. Faith is not only the key to victory initially but also continually.

John knows the key to victorious, conquering living. It is not for an elite few. This nike kind of life is not found in the powerful corridors of Washington DC, nor does it reside in the financial centers of the world like Frankfurt, Germany or Wall Street, nor does the power to conquer abide in the Pentagon, nor in the prestigious academic Ivy league educational institutions. This overcoming, victorious, conquering life that assures nike both now and forever is only available through the One who lived a victorious life, died on the cross, and arose from the dead: Jesus Christ the Son of God!

I hope these devotions on 1 John 5 have been a blessing and encouragement to you. If you have a prayer request, please email us at pray@dfea.com. We would love to hear from you.