Text: 1 John 5:4-5
By: OGUMOR, SUNNY (Bishop)
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The way and manner things are currently going on all over the world call for concern to Christians. Some call it the end time. We don’t know when the time will end only the Almighty God knows. We as Christians need to be conscious of the happenings within and around us. Christians are being deceived falling prey to worldly desires. We need to remind ourselves on how to overcome these worldly challenges, so as to have a place with God.
Initially we thought that covid 19 was far away in China so to some of us it was China’s problem. The same way we see sin and love of the world as the problem of the unbeliever and mis-believers. Be reminded that sin grows and gets a strangle hold on our lives if we neglect our duty and believe in Christ. Yet, it doesn’t need to remain that way, fear sin like you feared COVID 19.
The conflict between the spirit of the world’s enticement and the Spirit of God is not yet over, but the outcome has already been settled at the cross and the empty tomb, to those who believe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has given us victory to overcome the world.
1 John 5:4-5: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is he, that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Now how many of us sincerely believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God who came to redeem us, so what he says we will do? Or you are just a church goer?
Jesus Christ told Nicodemus that except a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5
We all have trouble in this life, Christian or not. But we are to be courageous and encourage one another no matter what we face because our hope is in Jesus Christ who has overcome. And we can face anything; we too have overcome because of Him.
Be of good cheer, in Christ we have peace
Jesus told his disciples that the time has come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:32-33.
If we want to be overcomers, and overcome the world, we need to determine just what is the world. The world that John is talking about in-depth is not the physical world, rather it is the attitude of man, it is the spirit of enticement of things of the world, and thus who is in control of these world’s enticement. Satan has too many things to present to us to draw us away from the presence of God and do his bidden. Paul referred to him as the god of this age which has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:4
Satan tried to enticed our Lord and Savior Jesus in the wilderness he took Him into a high mountain showing Jesus all the kingdoms of the world saying, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve. Luke 4:6-8.
Nowadays anything the devil presented to us we find a way to justify it.
How did we get here?
Old school or new school, which is better. Yes !!! new school.
This is how women used to dress before Satan became a tailor.
Men and brethren, any comment? If God had wanted us to live like animals, he wouldn’t have made garments of skin to cloth Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. Genesis 3:21.
John said, “For all that is in the world—1. The lust of the flesh, (of the body): wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness.
And 3. The pride of life: (excessive proudness, strong desire and parading self as great. Pompous (self-importance), vain-glorious life these includes thirst after honour and position in a cunning way. Humility is not in his dictionary. These are not of the Father but of the world.” (1 John 2:16)
As for the “lust of the flesh, Paul identifies it as sexual immorality and anger in all of their various forms, along with idolatry, sorcery, and that which deals with self. Galatians 5:19. John talking about those things that we see and desire, like possessions, power and the like and anything that leads to arrogance, boasting, or selfishness, all those things that allure or trap the human heart. They are those things and concerns we are caught up in if not careful.
The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The more the love of the world prevails the more the love of God decays.
Today, these three things mentioned above are present in the world of entertainment and amusement, the world of finance and possessions, the world of politics and power, In the world of sports, films, and fashion and so on. We even see it within the church as we see few and constant people during bible studies and some other church activities. When we can see and feel those that are possessed, the forces driving them we don’t know. Paul describes it as the powers of darkness and the spiritual forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12.
As believers in Jesus Christ, while we live in this world, we’re not to live like it. Because when we do, we come under the power that is behind it, Satan, the spirit and ruler of the wickedness in the world. So, what John is saying is that only a life of faith, and belief in Jesus Christ can overcome.
Jesus promises peace to those who believe in him and victory to all who are his, because He has overcome the world. Wisdom and understanding to all who seek His truth. He has promised us many good things.
What Makes us Overcomers: even our Faith
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they marched round it for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30
John is saying that it is our faith in Jesus Christ, that He is truly the Son of God, will make us overcome the world. We will become overcomers by trusting in Christ Jesus and not ourselves or the philosophies of the world neither the level of our education plays a major role here. Your ability to hear the word, believe and obey plays a very important role in overcoming the world. Give your life to Christ this hour, tomorrow may be too late.
The Lord said to Joshua, be strong and courageous, observe and do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that is the only way you will prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7) To Joshua focus and dedication is required, overcoming the world is not of activity only as it is an attitude towards it.
Conclusion:
It is important that those who call themselves Christians should stay away from questionable behaviours. Enticement of the world is very much with us but remember that worldliness is a matter of the heart
It is our faith in Jesus that overcomes the world, if we dedicate our lives to Jesus, he resides within us, and as he said, greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. And it is in Jesus that we become more than conquerors because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Rom 8:37-39.
And so, to overcome the world, we need to sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as our Our Lord and Savior. And then, have faith and obey His word and the promises He gives, are all yours.
May the Lord add blessings to these words, in Jesus Name, Amen.
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