Focus: Conquering Faith (Pt.3)

Text: 1Jh.5:4

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

This world that John is talking about hates the believer in Christ. It hates your faith, your God, your godliness, and your love for your Christ. 

Jesus Christ says, "The world cannot hate you; but me it HATETH, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil" (Jh.7:7). He says again, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye ARE NOT of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world HATETH you" (Jh.15:19). John says, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (1Jh.3:13). It shouldn't be a surprise that the world hates the believer. That is just the way the world is. They give what they have - hatred. The world hates you and your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The believer is not of this world. Christ has chosen him out of the world. Jesus Christ says to His unbelieving listeners, "Ye are from BENEATH; I am from ABOVE: ye ARE of this world; I am NOT OF this world" (Jh.8:23). He says to His Father concerning His disciples, "They are NOT of the world, even as I am NOT of the world" (Jh.17:16). You cannot defeat a world that you are a part of - a world that you are a part and parcel of. John writes, "They ARE of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them" (1Jh.4:5). He tells Pilate, "My kingdom is NOT of this world" (Jh.18:36). 

Nothing belonging to Christ is of this world. Christ is not of the world. His kingdom is not of this world. The believer is not of this world. The world is beneath, but the believer is from above.

Child of God, you are not of the world. You don't belong to the world. You are not owned by the world. You share nothing in common with the world. John tells you who you are and to whom you belong. He says, "Ye ARE OF God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1Jh.4:4). You are of God, and the Greater One lives in you. You have in you a presence and power that wins. You are invincible because you are born of God, and God has taken residence in you. You conquer the world's hate with the love of God. While they are busy hating you, you are busy loving them.

You are born of God; so win against the world. You have the armor of faith; so your victory is sure. Persevere in your faith. Fight the good fight of faith. Fight the beasts in your own 'Ephesus' and come out victorious (1Cor.15:32). Conquer worldliness. God has equipped you to fight and win. You have been armed to the teeth by Christ for total dominance and for ultimate victory.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter