1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
In our Christmas series entitled “The King is Coming” The Coming King, each church is given a different promise from The King, Jesus Christ. However, each promise is given to those who are overcomers.
A very important principle in interpreting the bible is to let Scripture interpret Scripture. In his first letter the apostle John, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit, provides for us the definition or explanation of who is an overcomer. We read in 1 John 5:4,5: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” So John clearly defines those who overcome as those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, meaning that they believe all that the Scripture declares Jesus to be in both His humanity and Deity.
But lest we think that being an overcomer is an “achievement”, we need to step back and listen to the words of Jesus, The One Who overcame. “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 16:33) We overcome, beloved, because He has overcome for us. Earlier in his first letter John wrote, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Never forget that we overcome because He that overcame dwells in our heart. Yes, we are responsible to fight the good fight of faith. Yes, we are responsible to put on the whole armor of God if we intend to resist the fiery darts of the enemy. The victorious Christian life is not a passive one. Every message that Jesus gives to the church is one that exhorts, commands, and in some cases, calls to repentance behavior that is unfitting for the disciple of Jesus Christ. But at the end of the day, we only have the power to overcome because The One Who overcame on the cross and rose again victoriously over sin and death dwells within us!
We are thankful for His promises, but all praise, glory and honor belong to The One Who is The Overcomer, Jesus Christ. The King is coming, beloved! Selah
