All followers of Jesus Christ have been given a beautiful promise – we overcome the world.
“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
But what exactly does that mean? Do we eventually become sinless, even after falling to the same sins again and again? Do we find success, even running into the same obstacles repeatedly? Do we become immune to trials and tribulations or perhaps no longer have to deal with them? Are we ever able to insulate ourselves from the pride and corruption of the world? What does “overcoming” look like?
You may answer these questions in a variety of ways, depending on your particular weaknesses and run-ins with the world’s ways. Whatever your situation, overcoming the world can imply a lot of things: it no longer defines you; it’s no longer your judge; it’s no longer your dominant influence; it no longer kicks you around; you no longer listen when it tells you how meaningless or fruitless or wasted your life has been; and you no longer live by its demands. “Overcoming” means you live above the world’s ways. You have a higher purpose and another-worldly source of life. You win victories over the world’s systems and aren’t victimized by its trends and whims and criticisms. You are rooted in a Kingdom that overlaps with the presence of a false value system but is never subject to it. You will endure longer and live deeper than anything the world can offer you. You are born of God.
So, let’s refuse the world’s mindsets. Let’s reject its false identities. By faith, let’s live in the Kingdom culture as those who have permanent citizenship in it. You see, by faith, we are not victims, mistakes, or a temporary phenomenon. By faith, we are children of The King who will win battles, tear down walls, remove obstacles, and plunder the rival kingdom. And because The King is in us – because we are not left to our own resources – We Cannot Be Defeated. Eventually, by His strength, we will overcome.
Have an undefeated weekend. Make it better by worshiping The Lord with those who live as victors because they believe and know they are, because greater is He who is in them than he who is in the world.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)
Vic Alvarado 