04/25/2020
We read in scripture that Jesus has overcome the world, and we find a wonderful fuel source for our faith in that knowledge as we place our burdens on Him, but what does this have to do with us? Anything? How do we lay claim to that power which Jesus speaks of? Is it possible for us to overcome the world as well? I can tell you that it is indeed possible, and as a matter of fact it is more than that... it is the truth... we can overcome the world, if we would only believe.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 ESV
Jesus tells us that we can have peace by placing our trust in Him. Isn’t this wonderful? We can have peace as we travel through the tribulations of life because Jesus has conquered the world, and He abides in us, but He gives us even more than that... He empowers us to conquer, or overcome, the world ourselves! Do we claim that? Do we claim personal victory over the world? Well we should because Jesus told us that not only does He have this power, but we do as well. So how do we do this, and is it so difficult that we might never achieve it? Well, it sounds rather straight forward, and scripture says that all it takes to overcome the world is to be born of God. WOW... that sounds hard!
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.”
1 John 5:4 ESV
OK... now that the shock has worn off, how can we do that, it sounds impossible... What does it mean to be born of God, and how can we achieve that? Doesn’t faith come in all sizes; it can be the size of a mustard seed and move a mountain, or much larger, right? So how much is enough, and if we need more then how do we get it? Let’s listen to what Jesus tells His disciples when they ask this same question by asking for more faith...
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6 ESV
Jesus isn’t telling them that size matters, He is saying that size doesn’t matter, and scripture says this again in the book of Matthew when Jesus tells His disciples they have “little faith” which Southerners in the United States recognize as a polite way of saying they just don’t have any faith... they didn’t believe. Listen as He tells them that they “ain’t got a smidgeon of faith”... that all they need is a mustard seed worth, and they don’t have it...
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.””
Matthew 17:19-20 ESV
So now we know that we need faith to overcome the world. We don’t need a teaspoon full, a tablespoon full, or a five pound sack full... we simply need faith... or to believe! So now we have faith but we still need to be born again of God.
“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
John 3:3 ESV
Well, How do we go about being reborn so that we are not only born of the flesh, but born of the spirit, is this hard, is it something I have to work all my life towards, or do I already possess the ingredients and just don’t realize it? If you believe in Jesus Christ, and that He is the Son of God then you are already there... you have everything you need to overcome the world. Listen again...
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”
1 John 5:1 ESV
So we as Christians are born of God, and we have overcome the world, but some of us just haven’t come to that realization yet. Do you believe it now? Do you understand what has been given you? You have a power in you that allows you to face your own cross, and do so in peace... even as you are being nailed to it! The world can’t overcome you; the worst it can do is put you to death, but you have peace even then. We have overcome death by our faith in the victory of Christ.
So we have peace in death because we have victory over that in Jesus, so that not even he that can “destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 ), can touch us in that way...
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
John 10:28-29 ESV
We are born of God, we are His children, and like our brother Jesus Christ we have overcome the world... Don’t be convinced otherwise, and stand firm in your faith that this is true!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for making provision through our faith in your Son Jesus Christ so that we can be born of you. Thank you Holy Father for empowering us and strengthening us so that we have now overcome the world, and find peace in the face of every hardship! We thank you for the peace we find in your Son Jesus, and now in ourselves through the rebirth we have experienced. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives us a full measure of faith, and by such, and our belief in your Son Jesus, a rebirth in you. Praised be your name for allowing us to overcome the world, and face even death in full possession of your peace... the peace of Christ. We thank you, and raise your name in glory, because all of this is made possible by your mercy, and your grace that flows through Jesus. Hear our prayers, and witness our worship as we march triumphant to Calvary, carrying our crosses as we go. Though we May suffer terribly along he way we will not wither under the pain, and though spat upon, and mocked, we will find eternal peace in you. We trust in your Word, and our victory... now, and forevermore!
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
Galatians 2:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes