Faith is the Victory

  “He that is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes with world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4). 

This is one of my favorite Scriptures in the Bible, because it equates faith with the state of victory.  Such things I’ve found to be true, especially when circumstances of life are calamitous, there must be the faith of Jesus Christ that is a stronger force operating in our hearts.  Each child of God, the moment they are born again by believing in Jesus Christ, they now possess His gift of faith in their heart.  Faith is something that grows in the human heart, as Paul taught in the epistle of Romans, “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith”. (Romans 1:17)  The more faith we have in our heart, the more victory we have over the world, and the more joy and peace we have in our salvation (see Romans 15:13).  The Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts will produce more faith, as we learn to yield and hear His Word being spoken and received, as Paul taught, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17).  Those who are His sheep are those who hear His Word.  Jesus said, “My sheep know My voice and follow Me” (John 10:27) and He also said, “He that is of God heareth God’s words.” (John 8:47)  It’s important to know that “hearing” is the fore-most commandment above all of God’s commandments, because without hearing, no one can receive the faith of the Gospel in their heart.  Religious people have a desire for self-righteousness, law-keeping, and memorizing Scripture, but disciples of Jesus have a desire for true life and joy that comes only through faith in God’s living Word, even glorying in the Cross which shows forth the Grace of Jesus Christ.  Those who hear the Word are blessed, but those who are committed to the joy of private prayer, devotion and obedience to their faith are even more blessed.  It’s important to yoke the Word of God with a life of prayer, because without prayer and quiet communion with God, there can be no illumination (which is to understand to the Truth of God).  The Holy Spirit is the Promise of the Father, and is given to each Christian believer to guide them in knowing the truth of God, but they must be committed to winning the race of life, the endless promises and joys of marriage to Christ.  Faith, the Holy Spirit and a disciplined will, will bring joy and victory, as people accept that they are dead with Christ unto sin, and their life is hidden with Christ in God, and their day of glory could be just around the corner (Colossians 3:3-4).  Faith lays hold on dreams, and God is able to give each person the desires of their heart, exceedingly more than we ask.  (see Psalm 37:4-5, Ephesians 3:20)
    Our father Abraham was justified only by faith during his life.  The works he did were only proof that his faith was legitimate and real (As Paul taught, not proof before God, but before the angels and watchers of heaven).  When Abraham offered Isaac as a burnt offering, his willingness to obey was not only proof that he believed God, but also that he knew His voice (see Genesis 22:3).  Abraham is a fantastic story of true faith, but also a man who obey God’s voice and waited upon Him daily with expectancy.  A good chapter to read concerning Abraham’s “justification by faith” is Romans chapter 4 and Galatians chapter 3.  Paul taught concerning Abraham that he was an example of God’s plan of justification, which is by faith and grace, and not by works (Galatians 2:16).  God’s plan is that the Gentiles will receive the promise of the Gospel by following the pattern that Abraham walked in.  Because his blessing involved childbearing and also marital love, he was given the sign of circumcision, which, according to Paul, was a seal of the righteousness of faith that he walked in before he was given the promise (Romans 4:11).  At the age of 100 years old, him and his wife Sarah conceived a son by the power of God’s enablement, which is a figure of the resurrection of Christ.  Their bodies were as good as dead, but thank Jehovah God, he caused them to bear children and become a happy family, and revived their bodies and their youthful vitality (Romans 4:19-20).  All but one of Abraham’s children were born after the age of 100; God gave him more children by other choice women, and much wealth, and he saw the promise of God fulfilled in his life.  Abraham pleased God with his faith, and God blessed Abraham with abundant life.  God is able to renew youth to human beings.  As the Scripture says, “Bless the LORD, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits…Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5).