We face a myriad of challenges in this world. We can face these situations with confidence, knowing that God enables us to walk in victory. When you are seeking to  follow God, you may feel like a salmon swimming upstream. We must remember that we are not working to victory, but from victory for Jesus has overcome the world:

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)

Since Jesus has overcome the world, His followers likewise may overcome the world. The Apostle John emphasized this truth in his encouraging epistle:

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

If you have been born of God, then Christ dwells within you. You have everything you need for life and godliness. This does not mean that trials and tribulation will not come your way, but you have the ability to overcome them. The word overcome means to conquer and be victorious in the face of adversity. This word implies a struggle, but it also connotes the ability to press on in the face hardship. Christians are in a battle, not only with a world system that is antithetical to the ways of God, but also the desires of our flesh and the attacks of the devil and his minions. The first use of overcome in this passage is in the present tense and this indicates a way of life so that of victory is norm rather than the exception.

How would you describe your life? Are you an overcomer or do you feel overcome by the world? As a child of God, your birthright is the ability to live in the light of God’s power and provision. The recipients of John’s letter would have been familiar with the Greek goddess Nike from whom the Greek word overcome is derived. The noun form of this word is often translated victory. John makes a stunning declaration as he attributed this ability to overcome to  Christians, whereas previously it was associated only with the gods. John then further specified what an overcomer believes:

Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5)

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? True faith results in believing that Jesus is who He says He is and He can do what He says He will do. As the Son of God, Christians believe that Jesus is worthy of our full and unreserved trust. We must realize our position as an overcomer or we may be overcome by the world. The Apostle Paul encouraged us with this admonition:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark