For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is faith. To be born of God is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to receive Him as personal Saviour who died for atonement, lives to intercede, gives power to become sons of God, and keeps from falling. This overcoming faith is living faith that takes God at His word, lays hold of His promises, claims them in prayer, acts upon them, and holds on without waiting to feel the blessing or see the answer. It triumphs not by money or material resources, not by human might or power but by the Holy Spirit, and not by human strength or feelings or good works as grounds for boasting. Such faith comes out and is separate from worldly customs, habits and lax principles while remaining in the world as salt and light, overcoming self and defects of character, Satan and temptation, and sorrow and trial, and it is gained day by day by humble childlike trust, self-surrender, earnest prayer and obedience to God's holy law.
Meaning of the Verse
Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and this victory that overcomes the world is faith. For children and youth this faith is to be taught through plain lessons of Christ grounded in God's word, not through superstition or invented ideas. The pleasures and policies of the world cannot hinder or deceive the true child of God who relies by faith on the Saviour, having faith in His keeping power and marching on in the strength of One who is infinite, kept by God's power through faith unto salvation. Victory comes through faith in the living God by walking humbly with Him and learning to overcome difficulties, including carefully weighing the influence of words and actions on others in order not to miss the mark. Christians triumph as Christ's soldiers through that faith, by the more excellent way of becoming triumphant overcomers, rather than by putting God under necessity to save by removing every endangering snare. This victory belongs with a Christian life marked by faith, victory, and joy in God.
Being born of God means believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and he who so believes and thus overcomes the world is born of God. Unbelief in Christ is the root of sin that made us aliens from God, and belief in Christ as a personal Saviour is the only salvation provided, the faith that overcomes the world. Receiving Christ means receiving One who died to make atonement for sins and now stands at the Father's right hand with prevailing intercession that takes away sins, gives power to become the sons of God, keeps from falling, and gives life because He lives to those obedient to His will. Christ met every temptation in human nature and overcame, demonstrating that God's grace enables believers to overcome and pursue perfection of Christian character amid the conflict between good and evil. He came in human nature so humanity could grasp divinity and overcome in His name, and believing that He saves by grace leads people to speak of their faith and help build His kingdom as children of God. Those who believe in Him as Saviour and commit themselves and their interests to His guidance are on Christ's side, obtain victory after victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil through Christ, manifest His power to save, glorify Him, and are made perfect in victory through Christ.
The life born of God loves God and His children and keeps His commandments, and love for His children is known when God is loved and His commandments are kept. Keeping His commandments is the love of God, and His commandments are not grievous or burdensome. They are not arbitrary but expressions of His loving character and care for His children. Obedience grows out of oneness with Christ and the Father. This victory belongs with keeping God's holy law as lived out by reading and practicing the Word, with faith in Christ and obedience to God marking the life born of God. When this is obeyed, workers and institutions are changed to a different state, with souls surrounded by a healthful atmosphere like a precious odor, a savor of life unto life.
The victory is by faith, not by money or material means, for success in qualifying students soul, body and spirit for missionary work cannot be measured by resources, and even command of the revenue of the world could never do the work alone, but earnest prayer and faith bring the victory. Apparent weakness, limited resources, and difficult beginnings do not determine the outcome, for God can make small beginnings the start of truth and righteousness triumphing, and looking to what is unseen and following God's direction is the path of safety and true success, so neither a prosperous beginning nor apparent feebleness should sway. The victory does not come by human might or human power, which neither established God's church nor can destroy it, but by the Holy Spirit as an overflowing fountain of life and strength to all who hear His voice and obey. It is not measured by strong emotion, so when prayer is difficult and there is a sense of defeat, faith is to be kept by remaining close to God and expecting the Holy Spirit. It is not by feelings and good works as grounds for boasting, for believers are clothed with Christ's righteousness to stand acquitted before God, lay hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, hide the life with Christ in God, and become conquerors and partakers of the divine nature, with the Holy Spirit combining with human effort because nothing can be done without Christ. That faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, and though the victory is by faith, that faith is not alone because faith without works is dead, but living faith is shown through works and leaves no room to boast in one's own good works.
Nature of Overcoming Faith
Overcoming faith is living faith that takes God at His word, lays hold of His promises, claims them in prayer, acts on them, and holds on without waiting to feel the blessing or see the answer. It trusts that what God has promised He will fulfill, for He is love and tender compassion and long forbearance, more kind than the kindest earthly parent, and it is the duty and privilege of the believer to unburden the whole heart to Him, cast himself on His all-supporting arm, and plead the promises while leaving God to plan and execute. This faith does not depend on joyful or hopeful feelings and does not presume that God must answer in the exact way or for the particular thing desired, but obeys duty while expecting God to answer, sustain, and bless even when feelings change and circumstances seem impossible. It perseveringly grasps the promises as Jacob held fast until God revealed the self and revealed Himself, giving a new sense of strength and support and brightness and power in Jesus, for on such persevering faith hangs the salvation of the soul in peril, and overcoming self requires constant grace to convert the inmost soul. By clinging to the Mighty One it brings triumph over the world, over threats and prescribed courses, and over Satan and hell bent on destruction, working through the greater One dwelling within who is stronger than the one in the world. Those who fear God and remain true become like a clinging vine whose tendrils entwine about God after being shaken and cut off from earthly support and human sympathy, making God the strength and hiding in Him as the cleft Rock of Ages, secured in everything the soul requires, unmoved from the hope of the Gospel, kept in peace in Jesus, and unable to be permanently injured.
This victory is by faith, not by feelings or good works as grounds for boasting, yet that faith is not alone because faith without works is dead. It lays hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, hides the life with Christ in God, reveals Christ as righteousness, clothes the believer with Christ's righteousness to stand acquitted before God, and makes him a partaker of the divine nature and a conqueror, with the Holy Spirit combining with human effort because nothing can be done without Christ. It is faith in the plain, simple Thus saith the Lord with its decided Thou shalt do and Thou shalt not do, not superstition or fictitious sentiment, and it works by love and purifies the soul. It is shown by earnestly practicing every principle taught and manifesting faith by works as light-bearers distinct from the world in the whole tenor of pursuits and current of affections, without worldly policy or pretense, revealing a character that distinguishes believers from unbelievers, for friendship of the world is enmity to God and no one can serve God and mammon. As Noah showed his faith by his works and thus condemned the world, preaching and working in harmony with his warning message and being justified by his works, so every soul must live every lesson he teaches, with Bible instruction made forcible by the holy life of the teacher, for merely hearing Scripture is not enough and unsanctified words work against faith and hinder growth. Receiving truth into the heart inspires this working faith, and it is to be wrought in the mind and revealed in the character, with the Lord enlarging every mind and heart for the reception of the Holy Spirit to live it.
Faith connects the soul with heaven's power and gives strength to resist and face the powers of darkness. It is as an anchor to the soul sure and steadfast, entering into that which is within the veil, and by the great field of the promises of God faith, hope, and love are laid hold of, so that in these graces the church shines forth and presents to the world a living representation of the righteousness of Christ. Through faith believers abide in Christ and draw life and nourishment from Him, becoming familiar with God's presence, discerning His character and grace, and being changed into His image by beholding Him. This victory is found in union with Christ by coming to Him in His Word and continuing to trust Him, which gives the wisdom, sufficiency, and power needed to overcome, while reliance on finite people instead of Christ leaves a person weak and undermines reliance on Christ. That abiding continues by obeying His Word and allowing it to shape the memory, actions, motives, judgment, and love. The overcomers are the great multitude of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues who stand before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes with palms in their hands, the palms signifying gained victory and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ through washing their robes of character in the opened fountain and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Faith is kept by cherishing trust and repressing doubts, refusing to gather an atmosphere of doubt, breathe it in, talk it out, and sow seeds of skepticism. Talking unbelief strengthens unbelief and binds the soul in chains of unbelief, while exercising the mind to trust the goodness, mercy, compassion, and love of God strengthens confidence. Confidence in God retained produces a recompense of reward, serving as a shield that quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one when adversity, suffering, distress, and anguish come, keeping the soul joined to the only source of consolation, comforted, strengthened, and blessed in trust and reliance on God. Casting away the shield by constantly cherishing and cultivating unbelief cuts the soul loose from consolation, misjudges God and Jesus Christ as stern, unjust, and without mercy and pitying love, dishonors God, opens the soul to Satan's assaults rushing like a flood until taken captive at his will, and brings midnight darkness and unhappiness over soul and prospects. The victory is kept by continually talking faith, light, and courage and by praying and believing, expecting God to hear and answer prayer, trusting Him even when feeling and sight give no evidence, refusing to talk discouragement, doubt, faultfinding, and gloom under trial, believing the words of Jesus that His followers will not walk in darkness. Faith increases as it overcomes doubts and obstacles, growing through becoming better acquainted with Jesus and dwelling on His life and love, walking by faith rather than sight, moving forward in hope and gratitude, and leaving God to work in His own way, for the kingdom of heaven comes without observation, and a life showing this inward victory influences others to follow the leadings of God.
True faith rests on the plain Thus saith the Lord, on the one gospel of Jesus Christ, and on the blood shed on Calvary's cross as the only foundation of human hope and the only safeguard against the destroyer. It takes hold of the power of that blood and, kept firmly, triumphs even amid discouragement, gaining victory after victory, so its hold must never be let go. Trust in God rather than self is the measure by which people are judged in heaven, and faith grounded in Scripture enables a person to come out victorious.
Scope of Overcoming World
Overcoming the world means coming out from among the world and being separate as God's special, holy, peculiar people, free from its customs, habits, sentiments, policies, pretense, works of darkness and lax principles, touching not the unclean in order to be received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. There are only two kingdoms, that of Christ and that of Satan, and friendship with the world is enmity toward God, so no one can serve both God and mammon, and those born of God stand distinct in the whole tenor of pursuits and current of affections. Overcoming does not mean leaving the world but remaining in it sanctified to God and kept from evil, not patterning after its ways, resisting its corrupt principles while living pure and holy lives. In a generation unholy, impure and idolatrous, become a mass of corruption and pollution and the seat of sin, not knowing God and therefore not knowing His children, believers live as salt retaining its savor and as light shining by good works that glorify the Father, exerting a saving and corrective influence that shows Christ's grace can restore the divine likeness in man and cherish principles the world cannot tarnish. This faith that works by love and purifies the soul is revealed by unity and love for one another and by earnestly practicing every principle taught, as Noah showed faith by works and condemned the world, preaching and working in harmony with his warning and living every lesson taught.
Overcoming includes overcoming self, defects of character, hasty temper, unsanctified words and actions, and the world's affections and lusts, mastering and subduing self and yielding human will and way to God's will and way so that ways and words become Christ's. It is the work of a lifetime and not an instantaneous work nor mere emotion, gained day by day by praying and working and believing and clinging to the Mighty One, putting away sin and gaining experience until the warfare closes. It is a battle requiring constant grace and transforming power to convert the inmost soul, and prevailing requires holding fast to the Saviour as Jacob did until self is revealed and God reveals Himself, giving a new sense of strength, support, brightness and power in Jesus. By resisting or enduring temptation in Jesus' name the believer controls circumstances that would otherwise lead to sin, cherishes Christ within, receives the peace of heaven, gains precious and glorious victories every day, succeeds in perfecting Christian character unto a blameless life without fault, and comes off more than conqueror through Him who loved, for on such persevering faith hangs the salvation of the imperiled soul. Only those who thus become holy and pure as overcomers will enter heaven, while those who remain worldly have not shared in that overcoming.
Overcoming is triumph over Satan and his agencies bent on destruction, over threats and prescribed courses, over the world, the flesh, the devil, temptation, passion, and the corruption in the world through lust. Faith that lays hold of God's promises and clings to the Mighty One secures those who fear God and remain true to themselves and to God in everything the soul requires, so they cannot be moved from the hope of the gospel, cannot lose peace in Jesus, and cannot be permanently injured. This victory works through the greater One dwelling within, stronger than the one in the world, requiring becoming like a clinging vine whose tendrils entwine about God after being shaken and cut off from earthly support and human sympathy, making God the strength and hiding in Him as the cleft Rock of Ages. By taking hold of God's love through Christ the believer becomes a new creature, human nature is subdued, pride as sin is expelled, and Satan is vanquished, for Christ came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the power of the destroyer, save from the sting of the serpent, and through imparted righteousness place all on vantage ground as Christ overcame on humanity's behalf. Enduring trials of faith and suffering for Jesus' sake prepares believers to share His glory with eternal life as reward, and overcoming as Christ overcame brings the knowledge that gives access to the tree of life. A life without living faith and divine grace, neglecting light already received until darkness and unbelief come, is instead overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil rather than overcoming them.
Overcoming brings triumph over sorrow, trial, discouragement, fear, opposition, sickness and personal peculiar trials, for looking to Christ in simple faith lifts the heart above daily grief and perplexity into peace, courage, strength and hope even in deep distress. Trusting God rather than human wisdom or securing one's own interests enables believers to prevail against opposition, with Christ as present, all-sufficient Saviour in whom all fullness dwells and who is truly in the believer, a never-failing source of strength and present help in every trouble. This faith unites Christ's followers, separates them from idols and from the world so the world cannot separate them from God, secures help from above so none can prevail against them, sustains through shame and persecution, penetrates the darkest cloud to bring hope to the drooping, desponding soul, and when patience has done its work the light breaks through. All things are possible to the one who believes, and whatever is desired in prayer is received when believed, so that when God's people put entire trust in Him He does great things for them. Trials can refine and shape believers for the King's presence, while lack of trust and faith brings perplexity, distressing fears, surmisings of evil, fear and distress.
Gaining and Keeping Victory
Victory over the world comes through faith in the living God, meaning humble, childlike trust in Him rather than self-confidence or human wisdom. It is learned by walking humbly with God, surrendering self, hiding in Jesus, and coming to Him in His Word with earnest, persevering prayer, watchfulness, and dependence. Trust in His unchanging love sustains even when His favor cannot be clearly seen, assuring that He preserves from the enemy's assaults and works on behalf of those who draw near and renew their covenant with Him. That faith is active rather than inactive, leading to work in God's service, to careful weighing of the influence of words and actions on others so as not to miss the mark, and to praying and believing and asking for His presence, strength, and efficiency. By it Jesus is known as the Mighty Healer, the standard is kept uplifted, believers walk blameless in all the ways of the Lord, let no stain rest on the work, properly represent God so His name is magnified, and make their places of labor places where Christ can abide in a purified, sanctifying atmosphere.
The victory rests on what God has given, for through Jesus Christ believers become conquerors and partakers of the divine nature, clothed with His righteousness to stand acquitted before God. Unbelief in Christ as personal Saviour is the root of sin that made us aliens from God, while belief in Him is the only salvation provided, laying hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour who died to make atonement, now lives and pleads at the Father's right hand with prevailing intercession, takes away sins, gives power to become sons of God, keeps from falling, and gives life because He lives to those obedient to His will. Christ alone has strength to fight the great adversary, and as humanity's substitute and surety He enables those who take hold of Him by faith to become victors in His name and through His merits, the Holy Spirit combining with human effort since nothing can be done without Him. He met every temptation in human nature and overcame, demonstrating that grace enables overcoming and pursuit of perfection of character amid the conflict between good and evil, and He came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the destroyer, save from the serpent's sting, expel all pride as sin from the soul, and by imparted righteousness place human beings on vantage ground to overcome as He overcame. That faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, enabling believers to share the divine nature and escape the world's corruption through lust, hiding the life with Christ in God and revealing Christ as righteousness; though victory is by faith, that faith is not alone, for faith without works is dead and leaves no room to boast in feelings, good works, or one's own merits.
Overcoming is not instantaneous and not measured by strong emotion, but is the work of a lifetime gained day by day and step by step. When prayer is difficult and defeat is felt, faith keeps close to God and expects the Holy Spirit, advancing while striving to do God's will, putting away sin, praying, seeking strength from God, resisting temptation, and gaining daily experience until the warfare closes. The faith that overcomes brings sweet victories that must be personally experienced and not held only as theory, belonging with a growing experience in the things of God in which inexperience must be guarded against leading into mistakes. Only those who thus become holy and pure as overcomers will enter heaven and sit with Christ upon His throne. Those who set their hearts on God face constant battle because the enemy of all righteousness seeks in every way to discourage and cast down and the world stands opposed to Christ and His work, yet they have the consolation of union with the highest authorities of heaven, and their victory is known by fruit, for a pure fountain will not send forth an impure stream and a true Christian will not utter abuse or enter into contention.
The victory is kept by obeying the truth, keeping God's commandments and reading and practicing the Word, with God's holy law as the standard of character. United with Christ through His Word, believers receive needed wisdom and power, while relying on finite people leaves them weak and undermines reliance on Christ; faith continues by abiding in Christ, obeying His Word, and letting it shape memory, actions, motives, judgment, and love. Receiving truth into the heart inspires faith that works by love and purifies the soul, for merely hearing Scripture is not enough, and cooperating with God by doing His will is necessary while unsanctified words work against faith and hinder growth. As disciples conform to the Father's will, resist the enemy's wiles, reach the standard of righteousness, and grow in knowledge of Christ, they advance in overcoming the world and Satan's agencies through God's power and precious promises.
The victory requires growth in grace that makes a person conscious of personal nothingness and entire dependence on God, realizing weakness and joining it to Christ's strength, ignorance to His wisdom, unworthiness to His merit, frailty to His enduring might, and poverty to His boundless wealth. It is revealed in watching unto prayer, moving forward in hope and gratitude, walking by faith rather than sight, and leaving God to work in His own way without limiting Him to expected ways, since the kingdom comes without observation. It is not won in human strength but in the strength and grace God gives day by day to those who cling to Christ as personal Saviour and Elder Brother and walk in His footsteps, so that even the weakest can overcome. In that way believers work out principles of righteousness, obey the commandments, demonstrate the power of truth as a witness, endure whatever suffering is required while holding to Christ's promise to come again and receive them to Himself, take good courage in the Lord, and through humble faithful labor lead precious souls to confess truth and stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel in hope of standing around God's throne and inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.
Examples of Overcoming Faith
The good fight is the fight of faith, for what is vainly wrestled for in one's own strength is won through self-surrender and steadfast faith, not by human strength. Jacob illustrates this in the crisis of his life when he sought transformation of character and wrestled all night. When wounded and helpless he fell upon the Saviour pleading for a blessing and refusing to let go without it, and that persistent spirit was itself inspired by Christ. Christ gave him the victory and changed his name from Jacob to Israel, showing faith that does not turn aside in peril but receives transformation of character. Such persevering grasp upon God's promises requires constant grace to overcome self and convert the inmost soul, holding fast to the Saviour until He reveals the self and reveals Himself, giving a new sense of strength and support and brightness and power in Jesus, upon which hangs the salvation of the soul in peril.
Luther illustrates faith overcoming the world by firm reliance on God's Word and on the truth, enabling him to stand against error, pressure and threats. His peace and joy and courage and character displayed the victory and superiority of that faith, which does not yield to pressure. He stood on the authority of God's Word testifying against error, ready even to die if that would serve the truth.
Each person receives according to faith, for faith is what defeats the world. Unbelief loses what God promised because it looks at impossibility and then sees its own fears come true, while those who trust God look less at difficulties and more at the strength of their Almighty Helper and enter the promised inheritance. So the faithful spies entered the good land and ate its fruit while the cowards and rebels perished in the wilderness, and the ancient worthies subdued kingdoms, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became valiant in fight, and turned alien armies to flight.
Faith in Christ as a present, all-sufficient Saviour in whom all fullness dwells gives victory over the world, sustaining followers through shame, persecution and other trials. This faith unites Christ's followers, separates them from idols and from the world so the world cannot separate them from God, and secures help from above so that none who oppose them can prevail against them. It penetrates the darkest cloud and brings hope even in deep distress to the drooping, desponding soul, while lack of this faith and trust brings perplexity, distressing fears and surmisings of evil. All things are possible to the one who believes, and whatever is desired in prayer is received when believed, for when God's people put entire trust in Him He does great things for them, and Christ proves a never-failing source of strength and a present help in every time of trouble, truly dwelling in the believer.
Even after falling under temptation, those born of God overcome the world by faith, for patriarchs and apostles had human frailties, discouragements and sins like people today. Yet through faith they obtained a good report, fought their battles in the strength of the Lord, recovered their ground, conquered gloriously and were blessed of God. Paul's life illustrates this same victory: he fought earnestly, completed his course, kept the faith and overcame the world, his faith kept him, and a crown of life awaited him. So fainting hearts need not despair but can hope in God's pardoning mercy, trust in the virtue of the atoning sacrifice, be overcomers in the name of Jesus, receive divine instruction, be delivered from the results of their own iniquities, and perfect a character that will bear the close inspection of the judgment, because God is as powerful to save from sin today as in the days of the patriarchs, David, the prophets and the apostles. Faith exercised while walking in the path of duty and trusting His promise overcomes the world's opposition and triumphs through Christ's strength over Satan's hindrances, as seen when the journey to New York tested faith and victory was obtained as strength increased and believers rejoiced in God.
Fruit and Daily Application
The life born of God is marked by faith, victory, and joy in God, not by sadness and self-depreciation. That victory controls the circumstances that would otherwise lead to sin, cherishes Christ within, and receives the peace of heaven while overcoming defects of character and resisting or enduring temptation. In sorrow and trial, looking to Christ in simple faith lifts the heart above daily grief and perplexity into peace and hope, and trials refine and shape believers for the King's presence. This same reliance gave peace, joy, courage and character to stand against error, pressure and threats, even ready to die for the truth.
In God's work apparent weakness, limited resources and difficult beginnings do not decide the outcome, for victory comes by faith and earnest prayer, not by money or material means. Even with the revenue of the world at command the work could never be done alone, and neither a prosperous beginning nor apparent feebleness should sway God's people from looking to what is unseen and following God's direction. The triumph does not come by human might or power but by the Holy Spirit as an overflowing fountain of life and strength, belonging to all who strive lawfully in perfect harmony with God's law, guarded by holy angels amid foes and shouting grace. Humble labor in realized weakness joined to Christ's strength, ignorance to His wisdom, unworthiness to His merit, frailty to His enduring might, and poverty to His boundless wealth takes good courage and bears fruit as precious souls confess the truth and stand under Prince Emmanuel's banner, even from a humble position through heavenly agencies.
For children and youth this overcoming faith must be taught through Christ's plain lessons grounded in the plain Thus saith the Lord with its decided Thou shalt do and Thou shalt not do, not through superstition, fictitious sentiment or invented ideas. The conquering work is done by coming out from among the sin-polluted world, being separate, touching not the unclean, and being received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, with no little matters diverting the mind. That faith works by love and purifies the soul and is shown by earnestly practicing every principle taught, as Noah showed faith by works, condemned the world, preached and worked in harmony with his warning, and was justified by works, with every teacher living every lesson and making Bible instruction forcible by a holy life. Through persevering search for hidden wisdom, heavenly agencies teach lessons that strengthen faith, lead to spiritual perfection, and make life holy and Christlike.
Faith is a mightier conqueror of the world than even death. In a time when disease and affliction consuming humanity, cattle and the very earth result from wickedness, faith overcomes by alleviating suffering and bringing balm, solace and hope to those ready to perish. It overcomes by encouragement and hope in Christ the Mighty Healer who healed all manner of disease amid moral sickness and evil, by fixing the gaze upon Him instead of looking down into the grave, since the glories of the heavenly do more for saving body and soul than all drug medication or all terrors of the grave kept before the helpless. When the sick are anointed with oil and believers unite in prayer, faith laying hold of God's promise with assurance that His ear is open overcomes sickness, feebleness, confusion of mind and discouragement, bringing Christ's nearness, light, grace, peace and joy, relief of body, restoration to health, and confidence to live to praise God. The same victory sustains under infirmity by pleading with the heavenly Father in childlike trust, being upheld by omnipotent power and wonderfully strengthened to keep laboring constantly and earnestly even as one infirmity after another comes.
Living faith grasps the hand of divine power as an anchor sure and steadfast within the veil, and by the great field of God's promises lays hold of faith, hope and love so the church presents a living representation of Christ's righteousness. Overcomers are the great multitude of all nations, kindreds, people and tongues standing before the throne and the Lamb clothed with white robes with palms in their hands, the palms signifying gained victory and the white robes that they are clothed with Christ's righteousness through washing robes of character in the opened fountain and making them white in His blood. These sweet victories must be personally experienced and not held only as theory, for every individual must gain this overcoming experience in order to sit with Christ upon His throne. Enduring trials of faith and suffering for Jesus' sake with eternal life as reward prepares believers to share His glory after overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. That overcoming requires overcoming as Christ overcame, with all pride expelled, as He came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the destroyer, save from the serpent's sting, and by imparted righteousness place human beings on vantage ground with access to the tree of life. The warfare closes only through day-by-day praying, putting away sin and gaining experience until holy and pure, for heaven is worth everything and the victory brings life measuring with the life of God, while continued resistance divorces the soul from God until light and truth have no power.
That victory is lived as Christ's representatives by using no carnal weapons, having no controversy, speaking or writing no unkind, discourteous, defensive or offensive word and not even insinuating anything against unbelieving and deluded souls, and by not reviling again when reviled, with mind and heart influenced by the Holy Spirit in dependence on the Lord. A pure fountain will not send forth an impure stream, so the true Christian utters no words of abuse and enters into no contention, advancing step by step in trust while doing God's will, united with the highest authorities of heaven even as the enemy seeks to discourage and the world stands opposed. The triumph belongs to each soul in steadfastly resisting the enemy who works to hinder love and put division and strife upon God's people, refusing to unite with him in weakening God's heritage. It is shown in living one's prayers by striving for unity, refusing strife, and maintaining fellowship with other believers.
Victorious faith rebukes contentment with a low common standard of personal religion, for those bought by Calvary's price reveal Christ's grace, exert the motive-power of the gospel upon the heart, refuse to be common in thought, speech or practice, and labor with earnestness proportionate to redemption. The victory rests on God giving His Son, on Christ taking humanity, dying in the transgressor's place, rising, ascending and mediating the Holy Spirit, by which the estranged are cleansed, purified, sanctified and made fit for the saints' inheritance, bringing forth fruit unto righteousness distinct from worldlings on higher ground by living Christ's words. Being born of God gives standing on vantage ground with spiritual dominion over darkness through cultivated love. When truth's principles from above are brought into daily life they make character Christlike, and this partaking of the divine nature in escape from corruption through lust is to be sought in all associations and work and in institutions, schools, publishing houses, sanitariums and food factories, with the soundly converted advancing truth in purity to every household. The same overcoming by faith orders devotion to God in public worship, prayer and religious care for children. It is kept by firm, continual reliance upon God and grasping the promises by faith, letting truth regulate life and be planted in the heart, so that as one takes God's side God becomes defense against unfair assaults, and it belongs to those who with contrition walk humbly with God in union with the Holy Spirit, which no outward display can obtain while the heart serves idols.
Neglecting light already received brings darkness and unbelief, leaving a life without living faith and divine grace overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil rather than overcoming them. Each receives according to faith: unbelief looks at impossibility and sees its fears come true and loses the promised inheritance, while trust looks less at difficulties and more at the Almighty Helper and enters in, as the faithful spies entered and ate the fruit while cowards perished, and ancient worthies subdued kingdoms, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, waxed valiant and turned alien armies to flight. The unfruitful hearers are the skeptical, the superficial and the secular, who cannot discern the moral glory of truth or its personal application, while fruitful hearing comes just in proportion as people understand the Word and receive it into good and honest hearts, which is in proportion to faith. Those who remain worldly in self and the world's affections and lusts have not shared that overcoming, and the church that turns from the brighter path of renewed knowledge and holiness loses this victory. One who makes a lower standard and lives on a low plane, clinging to natural and cultivated traits, does not draw higher life from God by assimilating Christ's life, keeps not God's holy law as the standard of character, misrepresents Christ, remains spiritually dead and deformed, unfitted for the royal family, and cannot take those traits to heaven.
Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is faith. To be born of God is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to receive Him as personal Saviour who died for atonement, lives to intercede, gives power to become sons of God, and keeps from falling. This overcoming faith is living faith that takes God at His word, lays hold of His promises, claims them in prayer, acts upon them, and holds on without waiting to feel the blessing or see the answer. It triumphs not by money or material resources, not by human might or power but by the Holy Spirit, and not by human strength or feelings or good works as grounds for boasting. Such faith comes out and is separate from worldly customs, habits and lax principles while remaining in the world as salt and light, overcoming self and defects of character, Satan and temptation, and sorrow and trial, and it is gained day by day by humble childlike trust, self-surrender, earnest prayer and obedience to God's holy law.
Meaning of the Verse
Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and this victory that overcomes the world is faith. For children and youth this faith is to be taught through plain lessons of Christ grounded in God's word, not through superstition or invented ideas. The pleasures and policies of the world cannot hinder or deceive the true child of God who relies by faith on the Saviour, having faith in His keeping power and marching on in the strength of One who is infinite, kept by God's power through faith unto salvation. Victory comes through faith in the living God by walking humbly with Him and learning to overcome difficulties, including carefully weighing the influence of words and actions on others in order not to miss the mark. Christians triumph as Christ's soldiers through that faith, by the more excellent way of becoming triumphant overcomers, rather than by putting God under necessity to save by removing every endangering snare. This victory belongs with a Christian life marked by faith, victory, and joy in God.
Being born of God means believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and he who so believes and thus overcomes the world is born of God. Unbelief in Christ is the root of sin that made us aliens from God, and belief in Christ as a personal Saviour is the only salvation provided, the faith that overcomes the world. Receiving Christ means receiving One who died to make atonement for sins and now stands at the Father's right hand with prevailing intercession that takes away sins, gives power to become the sons of God, keeps from falling, and gives life because He lives to those obedient to His will. Christ met every temptation in human nature and overcame, demonstrating that God's grace enables believers to overcome and pursue perfection of Christian character amid the conflict between good and evil. He came in human nature so humanity could grasp divinity and overcome in His name, and believing that He saves by grace leads people to speak of their faith and help build His kingdom as children of God. Those who believe in Him as Saviour and commit themselves and their interests to His guidance are on Christ's side, obtain victory after victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil through Christ, manifest His power to save, glorify Him, and are made perfect in victory through Christ.
The life born of God loves God and His children and keeps His commandments, and love for His children is known when God is loved and His commandments are kept. Keeping His commandments is the love of God, and His commandments are not grievous or burdensome. They are not arbitrary but expressions of His loving character and care for His children. Obedience grows out of oneness with Christ and the Father. This victory belongs with keeping God's holy law as lived out by reading and practicing the Word, with faith in Christ and obedience to God marking the life born of God. When this is obeyed, workers and institutions are changed to a different state, with souls surrounded by a healthful atmosphere like a precious odor, a savor of life unto life.
The victory is by faith, not by money or material means, for success in qualifying students soul, body and spirit for missionary work cannot be measured by resources, and even command of the revenue of the world could never do the work alone, but earnest prayer and faith bring the victory. Apparent weakness, limited resources, and difficult beginnings do not determine the outcome, for God can make small beginnings the start of truth and righteousness triumphing, and looking to what is unseen and following God's direction is the path of safety and true success, so neither a prosperous beginning nor apparent feebleness should sway. The victory does not come by human might or human power, which neither established God's church nor can destroy it, but by the Holy Spirit as an overflowing fountain of life and strength to all who hear His voice and obey. It is not measured by strong emotion, so when prayer is difficult and there is a sense of defeat, faith is to be kept by remaining close to God and expecting the Holy Spirit. It is not by feelings and good works as grounds for boasting, for believers are clothed with Christ's righteousness to stand acquitted before God, lay hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, hide the life with Christ in God, and become conquerors and partakers of the divine nature, with the Holy Spirit combining with human effort because nothing can be done without Christ. That faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, and though the victory is by faith, that faith is not alone because faith without works is dead, but living faith is shown through works and leaves no room to boast in one's own good works.
Nature of Overcoming Faith
Overcoming faith is living faith that takes God at His word, lays hold of His promises, claims them in prayer, acts on them, and holds on without waiting to feel the blessing or see the answer. It trusts that what God has promised He will fulfill, for He is love and tender compassion and long forbearance, more kind than the kindest earthly parent, and it is the duty and privilege of the believer to unburden the whole heart to Him, cast himself on His all-supporting arm, and plead the promises while leaving God to plan and execute. This faith does not depend on joyful or hopeful feelings and does not presume that God must answer in the exact way or for the particular thing desired, but obeys duty while expecting God to answer, sustain, and bless even when feelings change and circumstances seem impossible. It perseveringly grasps the promises as Jacob held fast until God revealed the self and revealed Himself, giving a new sense of strength and support and brightness and power in Jesus, for on such persevering faith hangs the salvation of the soul in peril, and overcoming self requires constant grace to convert the inmost soul. By clinging to the Mighty One it brings triumph over the world, over threats and prescribed courses, and over Satan and hell bent on destruction, working through the greater One dwelling within who is stronger than the one in the world. Those who fear God and remain true become like a clinging vine whose tendrils entwine about God after being shaken and cut off from earthly support and human sympathy, making God the strength and hiding in Him as the cleft Rock of Ages, secured in everything the soul requires, unmoved from the hope of the Gospel, kept in peace in Jesus, and unable to be permanently injured.
This victory is by faith, not by feelings or good works as grounds for boasting, yet that faith is not alone because faith without works is dead. It lays hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, hides the life with Christ in God, reveals Christ as righteousness, clothes the believer with Christ's righteousness to stand acquitted before God, and makes him a partaker of the divine nature and a conqueror, with the Holy Spirit combining with human effort because nothing can be done without Christ. It is faith in the plain, simple Thus saith the Lord with its decided Thou shalt do and Thou shalt not do, not superstition or fictitious sentiment, and it works by love and purifies the soul. It is shown by earnestly practicing every principle taught and manifesting faith by works as light-bearers distinct from the world in the whole tenor of pursuits and current of affections, without worldly policy or pretense, revealing a character that distinguishes believers from unbelievers, for friendship of the world is enmity to God and no one can serve God and mammon. As Noah showed his faith by his works and thus condemned the world, preaching and working in harmony with his warning message and being justified by his works, so every soul must live every lesson he teaches, with Bible instruction made forcible by the holy life of the teacher, for merely hearing Scripture is not enough and unsanctified words work against faith and hinder growth. Receiving truth into the heart inspires this working faith, and it is to be wrought in the mind and revealed in the character, with the Lord enlarging every mind and heart for the reception of the Holy Spirit to live it.
Faith connects the soul with heaven's power and gives strength to resist and face the powers of darkness. It is as an anchor to the soul sure and steadfast, entering into that which is within the veil, and by the great field of the promises of God faith, hope, and love are laid hold of, so that in these graces the church shines forth and presents to the world a living representation of the righteousness of Christ. Through faith believers abide in Christ and draw life and nourishment from Him, becoming familiar with God's presence, discerning His character and grace, and being changed into His image by beholding Him. This victory is found in union with Christ by coming to Him in His Word and continuing to trust Him, which gives the wisdom, sufficiency, and power needed to overcome, while reliance on finite people instead of Christ leaves a person weak and undermines reliance on Christ. That abiding continues by obeying His Word and allowing it to shape the memory, actions, motives, judgment, and love. The overcomers are the great multitude of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues who stand before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes with palms in their hands, the palms signifying gained victory and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ through washing their robes of character in the opened fountain and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Faith is kept by cherishing trust and repressing doubts, refusing to gather an atmosphere of doubt, breathe it in, talk it out, and sow seeds of skepticism. Talking unbelief strengthens unbelief and binds the soul in chains of unbelief, while exercising the mind to trust the goodness, mercy, compassion, and love of God strengthens confidence. Confidence in God retained produces a recompense of reward, serving as a shield that quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one when adversity, suffering, distress, and anguish come, keeping the soul joined to the only source of consolation, comforted, strengthened, and blessed in trust and reliance on God. Casting away the shield by constantly cherishing and cultivating unbelief cuts the soul loose from consolation, misjudges God and Jesus Christ as stern, unjust, and without mercy and pitying love, dishonors God, opens the soul to Satan's assaults rushing like a flood until taken captive at his will, and brings midnight darkness and unhappiness over soul and prospects. The victory is kept by continually talking faith, light, and courage and by praying and believing, expecting God to hear and answer prayer, trusting Him even when feeling and sight give no evidence, refusing to talk discouragement, doubt, faultfinding, and gloom under trial, believing the words of Jesus that His followers will not walk in darkness. Faith increases as it overcomes doubts and obstacles, growing through becoming better acquainted with Jesus and dwelling on His life and love, walking by faith rather than sight, moving forward in hope and gratitude, and leaving God to work in His own way, for the kingdom of heaven comes without observation, and a life showing this inward victory influences others to follow the leadings of God.
True faith rests on the plain Thus saith the Lord, on the one gospel of Jesus Christ, and on the blood shed on Calvary's cross as the only foundation of human hope and the only safeguard against the destroyer. It takes hold of the power of that blood and, kept firmly, triumphs even amid discouragement, gaining victory after victory, so its hold must never be let go. Trust in God rather than self is the measure by which people are judged in heaven, and faith grounded in Scripture enables a person to come out victorious.
Scope of Overcoming World
Overcoming the world means coming out from among the world and being separate as God's special, holy, peculiar people, free from its customs, habits, sentiments, policies, pretense, works of darkness and lax principles, touching not the unclean in order to be received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. There are only two kingdoms, that of Christ and that of Satan, and friendship with the world is enmity toward God, so no one can serve both God and mammon, and those born of God stand distinct in the whole tenor of pursuits and current of affections. Overcoming does not mean leaving the world but remaining in it sanctified to God and kept from evil, not patterning after its ways, resisting its corrupt principles while living pure and holy lives. In a generation unholy, impure and idolatrous, become a mass of corruption and pollution and the seat of sin, not knowing God and therefore not knowing His children, believers live as salt retaining its savor and as light shining by good works that glorify the Father, exerting a saving and corrective influence that shows Christ's grace can restore the divine likeness in man and cherish principles the world cannot tarnish. This faith that works by love and purifies the soul is revealed by unity and love for one another and by earnestly practicing every principle taught, as Noah showed faith by works and condemned the world, preaching and working in harmony with his warning and living every lesson taught.
Overcoming includes overcoming self, defects of character, hasty temper, unsanctified words and actions, and the world's affections and lusts, mastering and subduing self and yielding human will and way to God's will and way so that ways and words become Christ's. It is the work of a lifetime and not an instantaneous work nor mere emotion, gained day by day by praying and working and believing and clinging to the Mighty One, putting away sin and gaining experience until the warfare closes. It is a battle requiring constant grace and transforming power to convert the inmost soul, and prevailing requires holding fast to the Saviour as Jacob did until self is revealed and God reveals Himself, giving a new sense of strength, support, brightness and power in Jesus. By resisting or enduring temptation in Jesus' name the believer controls circumstances that would otherwise lead to sin, cherishes Christ within, receives the peace of heaven, gains precious and glorious victories every day, succeeds in perfecting Christian character unto a blameless life without fault, and comes off more than conqueror through Him who loved, for on such persevering faith hangs the salvation of the imperiled soul. Only those who thus become holy and pure as overcomers will enter heaven, while those who remain worldly have not shared in that overcoming.
Overcoming is triumph over Satan and his agencies bent on destruction, over threats and prescribed courses, over the world, the flesh, the devil, temptation, passion, and the corruption in the world through lust. Faith that lays hold of God's promises and clings to the Mighty One secures those who fear God and remain true to themselves and to God in everything the soul requires, so they cannot be moved from the hope of the gospel, cannot lose peace in Jesus, and cannot be permanently injured. This victory works through the greater One dwelling within, stronger than the one in the world, requiring becoming like a clinging vine whose tendrils entwine about God after being shaken and cut off from earthly support and human sympathy, making God the strength and hiding in Him as the cleft Rock of Ages. By taking hold of God's love through Christ the believer becomes a new creature, human nature is subdued, pride as sin is expelled, and Satan is vanquished, for Christ came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the power of the destroyer, save from the sting of the serpent, and through imparted righteousness place all on vantage ground as Christ overcame on humanity's behalf. Enduring trials of faith and suffering for Jesus' sake prepares believers to share His glory with eternal life as reward, and overcoming as Christ overcame brings the knowledge that gives access to the tree of life. A life without living faith and divine grace, neglecting light already received until darkness and unbelief come, is instead overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil rather than overcoming them.
Overcoming brings triumph over sorrow, trial, discouragement, fear, opposition, sickness and personal peculiar trials, for looking to Christ in simple faith lifts the heart above daily grief and perplexity into peace, courage, strength and hope even in deep distress. Trusting God rather than human wisdom or securing one's own interests enables believers to prevail against opposition, with Christ as present, all-sufficient Saviour in whom all fullness dwells and who is truly in the believer, a never-failing source of strength and present help in every trouble. This faith unites Christ's followers, separates them from idols and from the world so the world cannot separate them from God, secures help from above so none can prevail against them, sustains through shame and persecution, penetrates the darkest cloud to bring hope to the drooping, desponding soul, and when patience has done its work the light breaks through. All things are possible to the one who believes, and whatever is desired in prayer is received when believed, so that when God's people put entire trust in Him He does great things for them. Trials can refine and shape believers for the King's presence, while lack of trust and faith brings perplexity, distressing fears, surmisings of evil, fear and distress.
Gaining and Keeping Victory
Victory over the world comes through faith in the living God, meaning humble, childlike trust in Him rather than self-confidence or human wisdom. It is learned by walking humbly with God, surrendering self, hiding in Jesus, and coming to Him in His Word with earnest, persevering prayer, watchfulness, and dependence. Trust in His unchanging love sustains even when His favor cannot be clearly seen, assuring that He preserves from the enemy's assaults and works on behalf of those who draw near and renew their covenant with Him. That faith is active rather than inactive, leading to work in God's service, to careful weighing of the influence of words and actions on others so as not to miss the mark, and to praying and believing and asking for His presence, strength, and efficiency. By it Jesus is known as the Mighty Healer, the standard is kept uplifted, believers walk blameless in all the ways of the Lord, let no stain rest on the work, properly represent God so His name is magnified, and make their places of labor places where Christ can abide in a purified, sanctifying atmosphere.
The victory rests on what God has given, for through Jesus Christ believers become conquerors and partakers of the divine nature, clothed with His righteousness to stand acquitted before God. Unbelief in Christ as personal Saviour is the root of sin that made us aliens from God, while belief in Him is the only salvation provided, laying hold on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour who died to make atonement, now lives and pleads at the Father's right hand with prevailing intercession, takes away sins, gives power to become sons of God, keeps from falling, and gives life because He lives to those obedient to His will. Christ alone has strength to fight the great adversary, and as humanity's substitute and surety He enables those who take hold of Him by faith to become victors in His name and through His merits, the Holy Spirit combining with human effort since nothing can be done without Him. He met every temptation in human nature and overcame, demonstrating that grace enables overcoming and pursuit of perfection of character amid the conflict between good and evil, and He came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the destroyer, save from the serpent's sting, expel all pride as sin from the soul, and by imparted righteousness place human beings on vantage ground to overcome as He overcame. That faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, enabling believers to share the divine nature and escape the world's corruption through lust, hiding the life with Christ in God and revealing Christ as righteousness; though victory is by faith, that faith is not alone, for faith without works is dead and leaves no room to boast in feelings, good works, or one's own merits.
Overcoming is not instantaneous and not measured by strong emotion, but is the work of a lifetime gained day by day and step by step. When prayer is difficult and defeat is felt, faith keeps close to God and expects the Holy Spirit, advancing while striving to do God's will, putting away sin, praying, seeking strength from God, resisting temptation, and gaining daily experience until the warfare closes. The faith that overcomes brings sweet victories that must be personally experienced and not held only as theory, belonging with a growing experience in the things of God in which inexperience must be guarded against leading into mistakes. Only those who thus become holy and pure as overcomers will enter heaven and sit with Christ upon His throne. Those who set their hearts on God face constant battle because the enemy of all righteousness seeks in every way to discourage and cast down and the world stands opposed to Christ and His work, yet they have the consolation of union with the highest authorities of heaven, and their victory is known by fruit, for a pure fountain will not send forth an impure stream and a true Christian will not utter abuse or enter into contention.
The victory is kept by obeying the truth, keeping God's commandments and reading and practicing the Word, with God's holy law as the standard of character. United with Christ through His Word, believers receive needed wisdom and power, while relying on finite people leaves them weak and undermines reliance on Christ; faith continues by abiding in Christ, obeying His Word, and letting it shape memory, actions, motives, judgment, and love. Receiving truth into the heart inspires faith that works by love and purifies the soul, for merely hearing Scripture is not enough, and cooperating with God by doing His will is necessary while unsanctified words work against faith and hinder growth. As disciples conform to the Father's will, resist the enemy's wiles, reach the standard of righteousness, and grow in knowledge of Christ, they advance in overcoming the world and Satan's agencies through God's power and precious promises.
The victory requires growth in grace that makes a person conscious of personal nothingness and entire dependence on God, realizing weakness and joining it to Christ's strength, ignorance to His wisdom, unworthiness to His merit, frailty to His enduring might, and poverty to His boundless wealth. It is revealed in watching unto prayer, moving forward in hope and gratitude, walking by faith rather than sight, and leaving God to work in His own way without limiting Him to expected ways, since the kingdom comes without observation. It is not won in human strength but in the strength and grace God gives day by day to those who cling to Christ as personal Saviour and Elder Brother and walk in His footsteps, so that even the weakest can overcome. In that way believers work out principles of righteousness, obey the commandments, demonstrate the power of truth as a witness, endure whatever suffering is required while holding to Christ's promise to come again and receive them to Himself, take good courage in the Lord, and through humble faithful labor lead precious souls to confess truth and stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel in hope of standing around God's throne and inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.
Examples of Overcoming Faith
The good fight is the fight of faith, for what is vainly wrestled for in one's own strength is won through self-surrender and steadfast faith, not by human strength. Jacob illustrates this in the crisis of his life when he sought transformation of character and wrestled all night. When wounded and helpless he fell upon the Saviour pleading for a blessing and refusing to let go without it, and that persistent spirit was itself inspired by Christ. Christ gave him the victory and changed his name from Jacob to Israel, showing faith that does not turn aside in peril but receives transformation of character. Such persevering grasp upon God's promises requires constant grace to overcome self and convert the inmost soul, holding fast to the Saviour until He reveals the self and reveals Himself, giving a new sense of strength and support and brightness and power in Jesus, upon which hangs the salvation of the soul in peril.
Luther illustrates faith overcoming the world by firm reliance on God's Word and on the truth, enabling him to stand against error, pressure and threats. His peace and joy and courage and character displayed the victory and superiority of that faith, which does not yield to pressure. He stood on the authority of God's Word testifying against error, ready even to die if that would serve the truth.
Each person receives according to faith, for faith is what defeats the world. Unbelief loses what God promised because it looks at impossibility and then sees its own fears come true, while those who trust God look less at difficulties and more at the strength of their Almighty Helper and enter the promised inheritance. So the faithful spies entered the good land and ate its fruit while the cowards and rebels perished in the wilderness, and the ancient worthies subdued kingdoms, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became valiant in fight, and turned alien armies to flight.
Faith in Christ as a present, all-sufficient Saviour in whom all fullness dwells gives victory over the world, sustaining followers through shame, persecution and other trials. This faith unites Christ's followers, separates them from idols and from the world so the world cannot separate them from God, and secures help from above so that none who oppose them can prevail against them. It penetrates the darkest cloud and brings hope even in deep distress to the drooping, desponding soul, while lack of this faith and trust brings perplexity, distressing fears and surmisings of evil. All things are possible to the one who believes, and whatever is desired in prayer is received when believed, for when God's people put entire trust in Him He does great things for them, and Christ proves a never-failing source of strength and a present help in every time of trouble, truly dwelling in the believer.
Even after falling under temptation, those born of God overcome the world by faith, for patriarchs and apostles had human frailties, discouragements and sins like people today. Yet through faith they obtained a good report, fought their battles in the strength of the Lord, recovered their ground, conquered gloriously and were blessed of God. Paul's life illustrates this same victory: he fought earnestly, completed his course, kept the faith and overcame the world, his faith kept him, and a crown of life awaited him. So fainting hearts need not despair but can hope in God's pardoning mercy, trust in the virtue of the atoning sacrifice, be overcomers in the name of Jesus, receive divine instruction, be delivered from the results of their own iniquities, and perfect a character that will bear the close inspection of the judgment, because God is as powerful to save from sin today as in the days of the patriarchs, David, the prophets and the apostles. Faith exercised while walking in the path of duty and trusting His promise overcomes the world's opposition and triumphs through Christ's strength over Satan's hindrances, as seen when the journey to New York tested faith and victory was obtained as strength increased and believers rejoiced in God.
Fruit and Daily Application
The life born of God is marked by faith, victory, and joy in God, not by sadness and self-depreciation. That victory controls the circumstances that would otherwise lead to sin, cherishes Christ within, and receives the peace of heaven while overcoming defects of character and resisting or enduring temptation. In sorrow and trial, looking to Christ in simple faith lifts the heart above daily grief and perplexity into peace and hope, and trials refine and shape believers for the King's presence. This same reliance gave peace, joy, courage and character to stand against error, pressure and threats, even ready to die for the truth.
In God's work apparent weakness, limited resources and difficult beginnings do not decide the outcome, for victory comes by faith and earnest prayer, not by money or material means. Even with the revenue of the world at command the work could never be done alone, and neither a prosperous beginning nor apparent feebleness should sway God's people from looking to what is unseen and following God's direction. The triumph does not come by human might or power but by the Holy Spirit as an overflowing fountain of life and strength, belonging to all who strive lawfully in perfect harmony with God's law, guarded by holy angels amid foes and shouting grace. Humble labor in realized weakness joined to Christ's strength, ignorance to His wisdom, unworthiness to His merit, frailty to His enduring might, and poverty to His boundless wealth takes good courage and bears fruit as precious souls confess the truth and stand under Prince Emmanuel's banner, even from a humble position through heavenly agencies.
For children and youth this overcoming faith must be taught through Christ's plain lessons grounded in the plain Thus saith the Lord with its decided Thou shalt do and Thou shalt not do, not through superstition, fictitious sentiment or invented ideas. The conquering work is done by coming out from among the sin-polluted world, being separate, touching not the unclean, and being received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, with no little matters diverting the mind. That faith works by love and purifies the soul and is shown by earnestly practicing every principle taught, as Noah showed faith by works, condemned the world, preached and worked in harmony with his warning, and was justified by works, with every teacher living every lesson and making Bible instruction forcible by a holy life. Through persevering search for hidden wisdom, heavenly agencies teach lessons that strengthen faith, lead to spiritual perfection, and make life holy and Christlike.
Faith is a mightier conqueror of the world than even death. In a time when disease and affliction consuming humanity, cattle and the very earth result from wickedness, faith overcomes by alleviating suffering and bringing balm, solace and hope to those ready to perish. It overcomes by encouragement and hope in Christ the Mighty Healer who healed all manner of disease amid moral sickness and evil, by fixing the gaze upon Him instead of looking down into the grave, since the glories of the heavenly do more for saving body and soul than all drug medication or all terrors of the grave kept before the helpless. When the sick are anointed with oil and believers unite in prayer, faith laying hold of God's promise with assurance that His ear is open overcomes sickness, feebleness, confusion of mind and discouragement, bringing Christ's nearness, light, grace, peace and joy, relief of body, restoration to health, and confidence to live to praise God. The same victory sustains under infirmity by pleading with the heavenly Father in childlike trust, being upheld by omnipotent power and wonderfully strengthened to keep laboring constantly and earnestly even as one infirmity after another comes.
Living faith grasps the hand of divine power as an anchor sure and steadfast within the veil, and by the great field of God's promises lays hold of faith, hope and love so the church presents a living representation of Christ's righteousness. Overcomers are the great multitude of all nations, kindreds, people and tongues standing before the throne and the Lamb clothed with white robes with palms in their hands, the palms signifying gained victory and the white robes that they are clothed with Christ's righteousness through washing robes of character in the opened fountain and making them white in His blood. These sweet victories must be personally experienced and not held only as theory, for every individual must gain this overcoming experience in order to sit with Christ upon His throne. Enduring trials of faith and suffering for Jesus' sake with eternal life as reward prepares believers to share His glory after overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. That overcoming requires overcoming as Christ overcame, with all pride expelled, as He came to cut humanity loose from the originator of sin, give mastery over the destroyer, save from the serpent's sting, and by imparted righteousness place human beings on vantage ground with access to the tree of life. The warfare closes only through day-by-day praying, putting away sin and gaining experience until holy and pure, for heaven is worth everything and the victory brings life measuring with the life of God, while continued resistance divorces the soul from God until light and truth have no power.
That victory is lived as Christ's representatives by using no carnal weapons, having no controversy, speaking or writing no unkind, discourteous, defensive or offensive word and not even insinuating anything against unbelieving and deluded souls, and by not reviling again when reviled, with mind and heart influenced by the Holy Spirit in dependence on the Lord. A pure fountain will not send forth an impure stream, so the true Christian utters no words of abuse and enters into no contention, advancing step by step in trust while doing God's will, united with the highest authorities of heaven even as the enemy seeks to discourage and the world stands opposed. The triumph belongs to each soul in steadfastly resisting the enemy who works to hinder love and put division and strife upon God's people, refusing to unite with him in weakening God's heritage. It is shown in living one's prayers by striving for unity, refusing strife, and maintaining fellowship with other believers.
Victorious faith rebukes contentment with a low common standard of personal religion, for those bought by Calvary's price reveal Christ's grace, exert the motive-power of the gospel upon the heart, refuse to be common in thought, speech or practice, and labor with earnestness proportionate to redemption. The victory rests on God giving His Son, on Christ taking humanity, dying in the transgressor's place, rising, ascending and mediating the Holy Spirit, by which the estranged are cleansed, purified, sanctified and made fit for the saints' inheritance, bringing forth fruit unto righteousness distinct from worldlings on higher ground by living Christ's words. Being born of God gives standing on vantage ground with spiritual dominion over darkness through cultivated love. When truth's principles from above are brought into daily life they make character Christlike, and this partaking of the divine nature in escape from corruption through lust is to be sought in all associations and work and in institutions, schools, publishing houses, sanitariums and food factories, with the soundly converted advancing truth in purity to every household. The same overcoming by faith orders devotion to God in public worship, prayer and religious care for children. It is kept by firm, continual reliance upon God and grasping the promises by faith, letting truth regulate life and be planted in the heart, so that as one takes God's side God becomes defense against unfair assaults, and it belongs to those who with contrition walk humbly with God in union with the Holy Spirit, which no outward display can obtain while the heart serves idols.
Neglecting light already received brings darkness and unbelief, leaving a life without living faith and divine grace overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil rather than overcoming them. Each receives according to faith: unbelief looks at impossibility and sees its fears come true and loses the promised inheritance, while trust looks less at difficulties and more at the Almighty Helper and enters in, as the faithful spies entered and ate the fruit while cowards perished, and ancient worthies subdued kingdoms, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, waxed valiant and turned alien armies to flight. The unfruitful hearers are the skeptical, the superficial and the secular, who cannot discern the moral glory of truth or its personal application, while fruitful hearing comes just in proportion as people understand the Word and receive it into good and honest hearts, which is in proportion to faith. Those who remain worldly in self and the world's affections and lusts have not shared that overcoming, and the church that turns from the brighter path of renewed knowledge and holiness loses this victory. One who makes a lower standard and lives on a low plane, clinging to natural and cultivated traits, does not draw higher life from God by assimilating Christ's life, keeps not God's holy law as the standard of character, misrepresents Christ, remains spiritually dead and deformed, unfitted for the royal family, and cannot take those traits to heaven.