Victory
By
Shelby G. Floyd
Thanks
to 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 work “nike.” Nike means to be victorious, prevail,
conqueror, 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
13:33-34).
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. (Mt. 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