Faith Overcomes the World

Finishing the Job

Ken

It’s not over until it’s over, but faith already believes for the victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4 KJV). Does faith mean we can become complacent about obedience in the small things in the meantime? Certainly not. We must walk carefully but not fearfully. Israel had just completed a monumental victory over Jericho with clear, supernatural intervention from Jehovah in bringing down the walls with blasts from trumpets punctuated with a shout (Joshua 6), but they were clearly instructed not to take any spoils from the city for that was devoted to the LORD and “accursed” (Joshua 6:17) to them. God gave Joshua the victory, but it was spoiled by Achan stealing from the LORD’s devoted things. Likewise, stealing God’s glory in our triumphs is a curse. “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). 

God’s anger is kindled, when we are oblivious to whom the glory belongs. We say we understand the glory is His, but we need to be careful about our heart and actions. Otherwise, we will come against a seemingly small task afterwards only to be defeated. What is the remedy? Be as careful in the preparation, as you would have to be in rectifying the problem. So, Joshua called out Achan, solved that problem, then went on to complete the destruction of Ai (Joshua 6). Father, it takes patience of faith to see the job through to the end. Grant us that faith and patience to reap the harvest. Help us not to faint, if the victory does not come easy. Make us to see You as our Sustainer, especially when the battle is difficult. Produce in us a greater understanding and appreciation of who you are. Cause us to love and admire You for the results. Lord Jesus, return quickly and deliver Your people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Vain is the Help of Man

Ken

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7 KJV). David slew Goliath, not because of superior armament, but because of His trust in the LORD. In life, warfare, politics, business, and sports, we conceive of competition, where my victory is only your defeat. Where I live, because you die. But, we forget, God is more interested in our heart than He is in our financial bottom line or the results of an election. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If I must sacrifice my relationship to God, then I would not want that victory. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). God’s people become like the world, when they measure victory in terms other than faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). It is more important that God would be honored than I live, succeed, or prosper. Only those who create their god as a figment of their imagination can afford to sacrifice that god for the benefit of their success. Only those who see nothing beyond the here and now could sneer, “Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” Father, deliver us from the victories, where Christ is not enshrined as the Victor. Teach us to compete so no one can take away our crown of victory. Cause us to elevate our understanding of You and our opinions about ourselves that we might war a good warfare. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Team Jesus

Ken

Christianity is a team sport, and Jesus, as the Head of the Team, always wins. Apart from Jesus, there is no victory. “And they overcame him [the adversary, the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11 KJV). “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24) because he was not a solo performer. Paul encouraged others to be followers of him “even as I also am of Christ” (1Corinthians 11:1). If others fall away from Jesus, then they forgot or never truly learned that victory is only in Jesus. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 15:57). Satan hates us, though he may succeed in martyring some of us, he can never defeat Team Jesus. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). Father, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus for without Him, we have no victory. Cause us to think, act, and pray like we truly believe it. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.