09/29/2020
What does it mean for us to have overcome the world? Does it mean that we have succeeded in gathering to ourselves all of its riches? Does it mean that we command its inhabitants to serve us? Does it mean that our will is imposed upon it? Or, does it mean that our faith allows us to conquer every negative influence that the world attempts to infect us with, and that in our spiritual health we will not be drawn away from loving God, Jesus, the Spirit, and one another?
“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
By our faith we are inoculated against the world, and have received our resistance to it from the strengthening of our spirits in Jesus Christ. If we are thus immunized so that even though the world might tempt us, or attempt to destroy our love for the divine, and one another... then it will fail, and the image of Christ in us will remain victorious in our lives.
“Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
1 John 5:5 ESV
We are taught to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, and be baptized in the gospel waters of Jesus Christ so that in the face of temptation the Holy Spirit can bring these things to our remembrance and strengthen us in them; thus allowing us to resist the dark one’s wooing call. There is no desperation in us nor any doubt that we might not be able to overcome the sin, and evil in the world, when we have fortified ourselves in God’s Word, and immersed ourselves in Christ.
“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!”
Psalm 119:28 ESV
So do we gather God’s word around us, pull the blanket of Christ up tight against the cold nights, and hear our prayers rise against sin as the Spirit leads? Are we kept warm in this way? God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit huddling close to us through the frigid nights of sin and evil? In this way we will have overcome the world... faith.
“Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 ESV
Today is the day that the Lord has made, and there is no better time than now to gather His Word to us. This is the day of the risen Christ, and there is nothing that cleanses us like His saving blood. This is the day when we find the Holy Spirit within us, comforting, reminding, and praying when we haven’t the words to say. Today is the day when we draw to us God’s Word, the gospel of Jesus, and the comforting prayers of the Spirit, and realize that In them we have overcome the world. Are we ready to claim the victory?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your constant presence in my life, for your Word, your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Thank you for blessing me with all of these influences that strengthen my faith, and for thus allowing me to overcome the world. Sleep with me in the night Lord, and lift me up with the morning light to walk with you. Lay close to me Jesus, and warm me against the cold of sin, and cover me Holy Spirit with the radiant heat of prayer that evil will be held at bay. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who speaks to me through your Word, cleanses me with the blood of Christ, and tends to my faithfulness with your Holy Spirit. Praised be your name for the victory over the world that you have seen fit for each of us to have won, and the comfort of our companionship, and love. Great are you who can’t be overcome, and glorious are you who shares your glory with us... even with me by grace. Hear my prayer Father, and be with me always. Judge me worthy through Jesus, and seat me at your table forevermore.... let me celebrate victory over the world, and the righteousness of Christ that has lead me to your kingdom for eternity with you.
“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Revelation 3:21 ESV
Rich Forbes