The Victory of Faith
1 John 5:1–5
This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4
John has talked about the content of the Christian’s faith several times before. The new element in these verses is that of victory, expressed as an overcoming of the world. This is found three times: once in the first half of verse 4, in the statement that whoever is born of God overcomes the world; once in the second half of verse 4, in the statement that the active ingredient in this victory is faith; and once, finally, in verse 5, in the rhetorical question, “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
These three statements express three important principles. First, that which is victorious over the world is that which has its origins in God. Indeed, if it were not for the reality of that new life that springs from God and that is implanted within the Christian, no victory would be possible. The Christian could not resist the world were it not for the fact of the new birth and for the truth that he who is within the Christian is greater than he who is within the world.
The second principle involved in the Christian’s victory is faith, which John defines as faith in Jesus as the Christ and as the Son of God. This confession is important for our age. No one would deny that other points of doctrine are important. But since Jesus is the center of Christianity, obviously the truth about him is most important and, in fact, determines what is to be believed in other areas.
The third principle of victory is faithfulness, which is, indeed, always involved in the idea of “faith” as the Bible defines it. It is not just a past overcoming that John is thinking of therefore, but also a present overcoming through a continuing and persevering faith in Jesus Christ. John is not thinking of a superior class of Christians that is involved, nor those who do some great work as the world might evaluate it. It is rather those who remain faithful to the truth concerning Jesus as the Christ and who continue to serve him.
This all who truly know the Lord will do. Indeed, in the broadest view, the faithfulness is not theirs, but rather his who has brought them to spiritual life and who, as a result, has also led them to faith in Christ, a pursuit of righteousness, and love for other Christians.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.