From the time that sin entered into this world, humanity has struggled against the powers of sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:6 tells us the sting of death is sin. In verse 54, we are told: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” Death has lost its sting and hell has lost its victory. This victory is part of the unlimited riches of Christ. Watch this power of Christ’s victory displayed in our lives.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The victory that Christ gained for us through His death and resurrection ends the dominating power of sin.
Hebrews tells us that Jesus shared in the same flesh and blood so that He might destroy him who had the power of death and release those who were subject to bondage through fear of death, (Hebrews 2:14).
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
God has provided a new nature of victory for everyone that puts their faith in Jesus Christ. This true faith in Christ Jesus gives us a new life of victory that has overcome the world.
Look at this phrase: “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” This is tremendously important. The overcoming victorious life cannot be achieved unless or until we are born of God. “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.”
How can we be born of God?
1 John 5:1 NKJV Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
True victory in our lives is associated with this “believing.” That word believing means to be committed to, to have confidence in, to trust and have faith in Jesus. More is being said in this verse than accepting the fact that Jesus is the Christ. Above believing that He is the Christ is the belief or trust in Him as the Christ, Savior, Messiah of God. This belief (faith, trust) places all our confidence in Christ’s ability to lead us into victory. This victory in Christ overcomes the world.
Go back to verse 4.
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Take a look at that word “world.” “World” means the system, standards, and practices associated with those who are not in harmony with God. In the Bible the world is against God. Worldly or worldliness is the opposite of godly or godliness. The Bible tells us who is the god of this “world” or “age.”
1 John 5:19 NKJV We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe.
The god of this age is associated with the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness, (Ephesians 6:12). These are the very forces that we wrestle against and must be girded with the armor of God to withstand. The wicked one is definitely the devil and all of his system of evil and darkness. Those who live under the sway of the wicked one are constantly in union with him and under his influence. They are being moved about by his cunning craftiness and deceitful plotting. When anything is under the influence and sway of the wicked one, their life is not in harmony with God. They do not have peace. They are like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. They are unstable in the sway of the wicked one.
1 John 5:4 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This VICTORY puts us under the power and influence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our overcoming and victorious life is under His control. Think about what it means to truly trust Christ. When anything is under the Lord’s control, it has overcome and is outside the influence of the wicked one.
The adversary of your soul does not want you to be outside of his control. A major part of Satan’s motive in buffeting you is to trash your confidence in Christ. Satan will violently strike and throw every wind and wave of disturbance against you to attempt to make you unstable. It is like you are standing on the Rock Jesus Christ in the midst of a raging storm. Satan wants to get you and keep you under his sway. He wants to inspire fear and doubt. He will address every area in your life where you have placed your faith and trust in Christ.
Unshakable faith and trust in Christ keeps you in the victory that has overcome the world. Take note of the language. Christ Jesus has already overcome the world.
Let me show you an illustration.
You remember the two times the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in a boat that was being tossed and driven by wind and waves. In both situations, fear gripped them and they despaired of life. They were in a panic because of the wind and the waves.
- In the first instance, Jesus was in the boat with them asleep on a pillow, (Mark 4:35-41).
- In the second, the disciples were in the boat without Jesus as they attempted to cross the sea in obedience to Him, (Mark 6:45-52).
In both situations, Jesus was not controlled by the contrary winds and waves. He was in the storm, but He had perfect peace, stability and faith.
- In the first situation, Jesus slept in the midst of the storm.
- In the second, He walked on the sea as though it was dry ground.
Jesus was above the situation and was not under the control of the wind and waves.
- In the first, Jesus rebuked the wind and said, “Peace, be still” and the wind and waves obeyed Him.
- In the second, Jesus walked on the troubled sea.
In both situations, the disciples’ faith was in question, (Mark 4:40; 6:49-50).
Why does faith in Jesus bring us into a life of victory? How does our faith bring us into obedience? These questions are connected. When we walk in complete faith and trust in Christ, we are not under the sway of the wicked. Satan may buffet and attack, but our faith in Christ keeps us stable and strong in victory. When we walk in faith, our lives are lived under the influence of Christ’s victory. We may be in the storm, but the storm is not in us.
This faith believes that Jesus Christ has overcome the world. What does that mean? I am facing a raging storm that is tossing my boat. I believe that Jesus Christ has overcome the storm. I believe that He is bringing me safely to the other shore. He told me to get in the boat and head out. He is able to keep what I have committed to Him. Because I have this faith, I can stay in the boat and keep on rowing. Because He is greater than the storm or the attack, I have confidence that I can accomplish what He has planned. He is greater than anything that can happen in this world.
Hebrews 11 talks about several people that put their faith in God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus is your perfect example of a life of victory and faith. He not only showed us how to walk by faith, He has provided the victory for us to walk in.
Go back to 1 John 5:4.
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
True trusting faith brings us into the victory that has overcome the world.
- When we live by faith in Jesus we know everything will be all right.
- We can say: “I am an overcomer, because Christ Jesus overcame.”
- We can say: “I shall not be moved, because I am established and safe in Christ Jesus my Lord.”
- On Christ the solid rock I stand.
- We can confess overcoming victory in Jesus Christ.
- Through Him, I am righteous and clean.
- Through Him, I conquer every adversity.
- Through Him, I know that the victory is mine.
- I am safe through Him.
- I am kept through Him.
- I have my needs provided.
- He is my Shepherd and my Shield.
- He is my Salvation on the right and left.
- He is the Way provided, even when I don’t see the way.
- He is my Helper and the Strength of my life.
- He leads me into victory and conquest.
- I am more than a conquerer through Christ.
Romans 8:37-39 NKJV Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Since Christ has given us the victory, we must keep our eyes of faith fixed on Him.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV84 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Regardless the storm or the attack, keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep looking to Jesus, Who has already overcome and conquered.
