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"This is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith."

Text: 1 John 5:4

OVERCOMING THE WORLD

In life there are many battles to fight. There are many obstacles and enemies to fight and overcome. Sometimes we can be quite discouraged as we look at the challenges. We have a very encouraging word in this text.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith.”
1 John 5:4

1. “For whatever is born of God”

a) This is a reference to the believer who is born of God (“born again”).

b) “Whatever” (Neuter gender. This is “grammatical gender”.)

i) It covers both “male” and “female” genders.

ii) It includes “children” (which has the neuter gender).

2. “Overcomes the world”

a) The world is seen as an enemy.

i) It draws people away from God.

ii) It leads people to sin.

iii) It is an enemy to be resisted.

b) The born-again and the world are in conflict.

c) The world can be overcome by the believer.

3. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world”

a) Victory is more than possible.

b) Being born again we become children of God.

c) We are equipped to give battle and to have victory.

i) Through the Holy Spirit who gives us power.

ii) In the name of the Lord.

iii) Through the grace of Christ Jesus.

4. “Our faith”

a) This is the means by which we overcome the world.

b) The faith that we have in the Lord can help us gain victory over the world.

c) In another variant reading, the translation is “your faith”.