Jump Start # 1517

1 John 5:4 “For whoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

  Some things in life are unknown and undecided. The outcome of ballgames are that way. We can pull for our team and the odds can be in favor of one team, but things happen, such as injuries or fluke plays and the outcome can go to the underdog. Political elections are another example of things that are unknown and undecided.

Having said that, it is easily to conclude that all of life is that way. Nothing is sure. Nothing is decided. The outcomes are not known in advance. That is not the case, but we can be convinced of that. That thinking can then trickle into our spiritual life where one lives in constant fear of being lost or never feels sure about his salvation. The apostle Paul was sure that there was a crown of life awaiting him. Someone once argued with me that Paul knew that because he was an apostle. The rest of us won’t know until judgment. His conclusion was that we live not knowing if we are going to Heaven or not. That seems to be a troubling way to live.

Our verse today shows the victory that one has through faith. Whoever is born of God overcomes the world. The world, signifies all that is wrong and opposed to God. We remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God. We remember that we are not to love the world nor the things in the world. And now, here, we see a victory for the Christian. He has overcome the world. It is possible to please God. It is possible to not become a victim of temptation. It is possible to walk in the light. We can win.

These words are valuable to us. We need to see this. One can doubt this, especially in his own life. We can feel as if we are never getting ahead. We can feel as if God is always frowning upon us. But our verse speaks of overcoming. It shouts of victories. It is possible. It is for those who are born of God. Jesus was the first to overcome. He overcame temptation. He overcame death. He overcame Satan. He was truly the first victor. When we walk in His steps, living by faith, we too become victorious.

It is interesting that many feel as if the victory is exclusively Heaven. Until that point, the battle is on and the outcome could go either way. But that is not how the verse is structured. The victory is now. The overcoming of the world is not future tense, but present tense. While they were alive and on the earth, they were overcoming the world.

Now, we must ask, “What does it mean to overcome the world?” The Romans were told, “Do not be conformed to the world.” The world, through Satan, tries to mold us and shape us. The world set standards of right and wrong. The world has it own definitions of success. The world forces it’s false values upon believers. Modesty, as described by the world is not the way God defines it. Success, by the world’s standards, involves bank accounts, labels, square footage in a house and bling-bling. There is no room for character, compassion and godliness in the world’s use of success. God sees the poor man, who never went to school, but has that genuine love and faith in him as more successful than the rock star, the superstar athlete, the movie star, the headline grabber. The poor guy walks through this life unnoticed and ignored. His death is only felt by a few people. His name is quickly forgotten. He has no streets named after him. There are no foundations in his honor. He doesn’t leave a legacy of best selling books. He simply walked quietly through this life, doing what he could for the Lord. But at his death, Heaven noticed. His soul, cleansed by the Savior, is recorded in Heaven’s books. His place in eternity is with the Lord. Lazarus was this way. The rich man ignored poor Lazarus. The rich man was a mover and shaker in his time. When he died, his community noticed. Yet at his death, he was tossed far from Heaven’s gates because he did not walk in faith and he did not overcome the world.

Overcoming the world means to stick with God and not be swayed by the influences and definitions of the world. The world says anyone can marry anyone. Period. No questions asked. Happiness is the most important thing. You won’t get that from reading the Bible. Holiness is most important to God. God limits who can get married. Tolerance, acceptance and equality are the marching orders of the world today. Overcoming the world means I don’t bow to such nonsense. The world cannot have a good time without alcohol. It’s at the concerts. It’s at ballgames. It’s at restaurants. It’s even surrounding business deals. Overcoming the world—the child of God doesn’t need artificial stimulates to enjoy life. He can do it pure. Overcoming the word carries into the mind and the attitude. Selfish, negative, demanding are the tones we hear coming from those of the world. The child of God overcomes those things. He’s not like that. He doesn’t think that way. The child of God builds a worthy character that resembles the Lord.

The child of God is not shaped by the world. He walks to a different beat. His eyes are upon the Savior. He does what God says. In this, he overcomes. By this, he is victorious. And the means and drive that gets him through the world is faith.

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world…remember that song? It’s based upon our passage.

Don’t shuffle through life as if you are beat up and defeated. Hold you head up. Put a smile on that face. Put some sunshine in your heart. The world can’t stand you. The world hates you. The world thinks you are an idiot. The thinks you are a fool and that you are missing out. But you know better. You have your eyes set on a sure destination. You are victorious. You are winning and through Jesus you know this.

Keep it up and keep going. “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…”

The victory belongs to the Lord!

Roger