“…..this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4
After writing about overcoming the world yesterday I suspect someone is thinking, “That’s easier said than done”. Even though John mentions the means – “our faith”, there are still questions in their mind. They wonder, “How does that work?”. What must we do to exercise faith? To be a victor rather than a victim we must do four things:
I. OPEN OUR HEART TO GOD’S WORD Faith has to do with accepting what God says to be the truth – regardless of the subject. To overcome the world we must come to see it as the worthless thing it is, which God clearly describes. 1 John 5:19 says, “the whole world lieth in wickedness”. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”. That being the case we must avoid it. We would be fools to pursue it.
II. OBEY GOD’S COMMANDS It does no good to just understand what the world is if we don’t take the proper measures against it. 1 John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…”. James 4:4 explains why, “…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” In light of this it was for good reason that Paul wrote, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ( Rom. 12:2).
III. OCCUPY OUR MIND WITH CHRIST AND ALL HE AFFORDS It’s one thing to get going and another to keep going. The best way to do both is found in Heb.12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”. As long as we are in this world we are in danger of falling, making it essential the we keep our focus on Christ. To do so study 2 Cor. 4 and Phil. 4:6-13.
IV. OPERATE IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT Make no mistake about it, as Christians we are called to live a life far beyond our ability. You could say we are called to live a miracle. It is only as we are filled with the Holy Spirit ( Eph. 5:18) that we are able to walk in the Spirit ( Gal. 5:16-25) and win over the world. The Christian life is all about what the Spirit of God produces in the child of God. He is the change agent. Paul put it this way, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” ( 2 Cor. 3:18). – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
