This
is the Victory
By
Shelby
G. Floyd
Thanks be to our God that gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ: “For everyone born of
God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our
faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5). The terms “victory” and “overcomes”
in this text translate from the Greek word, “Nike.” Nike means to be victorious, prevail,
conquer, overcome and win. God wants us to be victorious, not a victim. How do
we win?
Victory through
the New Birth
We have
the victory through the new birth into God’s family. “Everyone
who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves
the father loves his child as well” (1 John 5:1). Jesus said we cannot enter the
Victory through
Love
Through
our love for God and God’s children we have the victory (1 John 5:1). Jesus declared that all men will know that we
are his disciples when we love as he has loved us (John
Victory through
Obedience
Genuine
love is always joined with obedience (1 John 5:2). Obedience to God’s word is
not a burden when we love God. “This is love for God: to obey his commands.
And his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Human traditions and man-made rules
are heavy loads to carry, but the yoke of Christ is light (Matthew 23:4;
Victory over the
World
We have the ultimate victory over
death and the world through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John
5:5). Nike—We