To “overcome” is to prevail against the opposition, to strive or fight until you eventually win. To be an overcomer gives the idea of being persistent. It is not a race to be run as a sprint. It is more of a marathon. In America, the culture I live in rarely challenges our Christianity. Oh, there may be a group here and there that gets upset because we pray at a ballgame or witness to people on the job or at school, but our lives are not threatened because of our faith. We have become soft and Christianity is easy. We go through the motions, and even if we are very devout, no one is bothered by our desire to serve God. We know nothing of faith that is tested to the point of death. Yet there are millions in this world that are challenged daily concerning their faith. Those who persevere are overcomers.
In I John 5:4, those who are born of God, truly sold out, committed believers, are overcomers. They have held firmly to their faith in Christ. The world does not rule them. The current ideas of worship, political correctness, nor social ideas do not determine their lifestyle. They have sold out to biblical principles and their faith is on solid ground. This person remembers the victory is in the one who overcame the world. Jesus gave the example of His own victory over the world in John 16:33. He obtained a complete triumph over the one who rules the darkness of this world. He laid the foundation for victory over any sin that can tempt us to fall. John affirms that all who are born or God, truly saved, can have this victory. They understand this world is not their final home. They are seeking for the victory that comes form a life surrendered to God.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
We know from this verse that it is our faith that allows us to overcome this world. This reminds me of a song that Ira Sankey wrote in 1891 called “Faith Is The Victory.” There are a couple of verses caught my attention as I read through them.
Verse 2 speaks of His love being our banner, and the Word of God our sword. We are treading the road that many saints that are now in Heaven have already trod and won! When we feel like defeat is in our path, we must remember the love that God has for us. It is a love that cost God the death of His son on our behalf. He gave us instructions to push forward and ammunition to fight in His Word, the Bible. If we will use the tools He has provided, our faith, just like theirs, will conquer death.
In verse 4, it speaks of the reward for those who overcome. In Revelation 3:5, if we overcome this world, we will be given clothing that is white. White represents the robe of righteousness gained only by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have overcome will not be blotted out of the book of life that will be opened in Heaven, but Jesus will confess we are His to the Father and before the angels. What a glorious thought that should propel us to continue to press forward on this journey of faith in Christ.
Revelation 3:5 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
