Faith Is The Victory Series

Faith is the Victory 1John 5:4-12

REVIEW

I. THE GOD OF LIGHT AND HIS CHILDREN OF LIGHT 1-2

II. THE GOD OF LOVE & HIS CHILDREN OF LOVE 3-4

III. MARVELOUS MARKS OF THE NEW BIRTH 5

Continuous belief or trust in Christ is one of the marks of a truly born again child of God. Victory over the world’s influence through faith or trust is also a mark of new birth.

John states that…

Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ is born of God

At first glance, this passage seems to teach that believing is the cause of new birth. That is the clear teaching of other passages. However, a closer examination of this passage and a proper understanding of the verb tenses used here teach that believing is a consequence of new birth rather than a cause of it. John used a present tense form of the word for believing. You can spot a true child of God by a lifestyle of continuing trust in God. Everyone who is in the habit of believing God is because they have been reborn as children of God at a point in time and they still are His children. We seem to find on both sides of the new birth. Faith seems to be both a cause and consequence of new birth.

Just as it takes a charge from the battery to start the engine, a running engine charges the battery. The old-fashioned wells needed water to prime the pump in order to generate more water. Genuine children of God become children through faith and continue to live by faith after birth. Continuing faith is a mark of the new birth. Victory over the pull of the world system is also a mark of new birth.

For all that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God?

Every child of God is victorious over the world.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Our daily trust in the person and work of Christ enables us to rise above the circumstances and philosophy of the world. The confidence that we serve Jesus the eternal Son of God enables us to overcome anything we may face in this world.

Where is your trust? What or who do you depend upon to get you through the day? Where do you turn when life in this fallen world threatens to crush your very soul? There is victory.

We can overcome. There is victory in Jesus! Who is Jesus? How do I know that he was truly the son of God? Was He really God’s son?

John takes the next 7 verses to discuss three undisputed witnesses to the person and work of Christ.

This is the One having come by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 1 John 5:6-12

Every fact must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. John Himself was a witness to the person of Christ.

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3

Peter adds his testimony and witness.

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 2 Peter 1:16