Character Witness: Overcoming the World

Introduction

The last couple of sermons have focused on loving one another, testing the spirits, and God’s love for us. Today, I want to talk about the Apostle’s teaching on overcoming the world. The teaching here alludes to the Shema in Deut 6:4-9, which Jesus highlighted as the Greatest Commandment in Matthew 22:37-40. John concludes this section by saying that those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God have overcome the world. Although this could be considered an easy teaching, there are some complex parts that we must understand as we mature in our walk. Therefore, let us look forward with these three things in mind: 1) By faith, we enter into a relationship with God, 2) What proves our love for God and His children, and 3) By faith, we are overcomers.

1 John 5:1–5 ESV

1 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. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

By Faith We Enter into a Relationship with God

1 John 5:1 ESV

1 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.

There are three things we must understand in the first verse because it is the foundation of the apostle’s teaching:

First, remember, Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Thus, “everyone” has an opportunity. However, only those who believe that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God (adopted). To believe Jesus is the Christ is to believe He is the Anointed One of God sent to deliver God’s people. The King and the Savior! John stated, in his gospel, that those who received Jesus and who believed in His name, Jesus gave the right (granted the power) to become the children of God (John 1:12).

Second, everyone who is born of God loves the Father. John does not say some or most, but everyone who is born of God will love the Father. Additionally, those who love God also love Jesus and believe He came from God because God sent Him (John 8:42).

Third, the result of ones love for God is that he/she loves whoever has been born of God. Therefore, it is by faith in Jesus that we enter into a relationship with God and those born of Him. And it is the love for God, first and foremost, and love for others born of God that proves the genuineness of our faith.

Obedience Proves of Our Love for God and His children

1 John 5:2–3 ESV

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

As usual John makes it plain by the use of “By this we know.”

We know we love the children of God when we love God and obey His commandments.

How do we show our love for God? Proof of our love for God is determined by keeping His commandments. In this letter, John also taught by keeping God’s word the love of God is perfected and we abide in God and He in us (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-5; 4:15; 2 John 6).

And His commandments are not burdensome, as if bearing a weight. Instead, Jesus taught the contrary in Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” Verse 30 alludes back to Jeremiah 6:16 “16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” The transliteration of the word ancient in Hebrews is olam, which duration, longtime, everlasting or eternal. The idea behind the yoke and burden is work. Therefore, Jesus’ teaching is an invitation to learn from a humble Master the ways to live a life that leads to eternal rest for the soul, which I would argue the apostle John is attempting to convey in this section.

By Faith in Jesus We are Overcomers

1 John 5:4–5 ESV

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

It has been established that those who are born of God are those who believe Jesus is the Christ. They love God and proof of their love is obeying His commandments. It is by the love of God and the keeping of His commandments that we know we love the children of God. Additionally, John states everyone who has been born of God is victorious in the world.

Remember in context of the world, the apostle is referring to the desires of the flesh, desire of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15–17 “15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”) . The victory to overcome the world does not come by our own means. We overcome only because of Jesus who said, John 16:33 “33 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.”” Therefore, faith in Jesus, the Son of God, is the victory that has overcome the world and we stand firm in it knowing that because of His person and work we are empowered to say no to the temptations and regardless of any situation we will enter His rest .

Conclusion

In this section of the letter, John emphasized those who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. He also ensured that we know that those who are born of God love the Father by obeying His commandments. Furthermore, we know those who love the Father and obey His commandments love His children. Finally, those who are born of God are overcomers because of their faith in Jesus who has overcome the world. What is our take away from this teaching?

Simply to know the same things. Believing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is main theme here because it is crucial three ways. First, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God to be born again as God’s child. Second, faith is the means by which one enters into a right and loving relationship with God and others which is proved to be genuine by keeping His commandments. Obedience to God’s command does not save us, instead it proves our faith in Jesus and love for God is genuine. Lastly, believing Jesus, is the Christ, the Son of God, we have victory over the world because He has overcome the world. Again, to overcome the world means your disposition to love the world and the things in it—desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—have changed to loving God and following His commandments. We must stand firm and encouraged in knowing we find peace and rest in Jesus, who has overcome the world to our benefit.