victorious Living Part 2

Victorious Living Part 2

By Apostle Felix

3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 

1 John 5: 3 – 5

The subject of faith has been taught widely in both the church and the secular world. The faith taught in the world is based largely on believing in oneself and developing a good self-image. Unfortunately, the secular kind of faith has also been taught in church, whose emphasis is focused on oneself, strong mental fortitude, and positive confession. I believe it is high time we examined what faith truly is that overcomes the world. We cannot preach worldly faith and expect to overcome the world with it. The Oprah Winfrey kind of faith cannot overcome the world. What is faith that overcomes the world then?

To understand the faith that overcomes the world, first we need to examine the context of verse four of first John chapter five. Apostle John was not talking about any kind of faith but the faith that is embedded in Christ. In verse one of the same chapter, John said, ‘Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.’ So then, the faith John was referring to that overcomes the world is not just about possessing a positive mindset and making positive confessions. All that may sound good, but it is not the kind of faith John was talking about. Faith, according to John, is believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5: 9 – 11

In his writing, the apostle John was refuting the erroneous teaching of Gnosticism that had infiltrated the church. Gnosticism was a collection of ancient religious and philosophical movements from the early Christian era that taught salvation comes through secret or mystical knowledge rather than faith in Christ. The Gnostic groups generally emphasized personal spiritual knowledge above the authority of what had been taught by the early apostles. Their emphasis was on personal knowledge, independent of the apostles’ orthodox teachings. Gnosticism did not die with that generation; it is still alive and well today. 

13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5: 13

The believer’s faith, then, is exclusive to believing in the Son of God, Jesus. This may sound simple and easy, but it may not be as easy as it sounds. We have believers today who confess that they believe in Jesus, but in reality, pay homage to many gods. The name of Jesus is mentioned, but the practices done and observed in those churches are pre-cross practices. Some are still calling upon the God of Elijah and the Gods of their prophets in their prayers. That is not Christianity; it is spiritism. Many are using elements as mediums to contact God. It is very sad to see those who profess to have faith in Christ and yet are carrying salt, water, and oil around as a means of protection. Is Jesus not enough?

9  For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form.
10  And our own completeness is now found in him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head of every kingdom and authority in the universe!

Colossians 2: 9, 10

Jesus is enough. He is the complete fullness of deity living in human form. And this same Jesus lives in each one of us. What else do we need to add to Him? Nothing at all. It’s religion that has convinced believers that Jesus is not enough and that you will need spiritual products to enhance what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. If Jesus cannot set you free, then no man can. No amount of oil or water would do. Have faith in Jesus because that is where your victorious living lies.