1 John 5:4-5
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?
“ I must overcome this!” We have all said words to this effect at one point or another. Whether it is a bad mood, serious depression, procrastination, or outright addiction, we take it upon ourselves to be the agent of victory in the battle. The Apostle John, with his brother James, shared the nickname “Sons of Thunder”. It seems that John was not the kind of man to wait around for someone to fix something but could do it himself. He learned though because he wrote these words toward the end of his life. What changed? He saw how true victory is won, with humility, sacrifice and faith, believing and relying on Jesus as the Son of God.
Ask any CEO for the secret of success and they will not say humility, sacrifice, and faith but power, influence, and self-belief. That is how you overcome adversity in this world they would say. We know better because we have read the Bible and seen examples of people trying to do it themselves. King Saul failed to rely on God and lost his throne to David who enquired of the Lord. Then David himself ordered a census to see how powerful he was instead of glorifying the Lord. Even those after God’s own heart are prone to trust their own heart. What’s worse is that many preachers teach their flock to do just that. There is only one way to overcome the world. Be born again and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then…
Celebrate the victory.