FAITH IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES
FAITH IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES
On that faithful morning, the Disciples of Christ were gathered in the upper room overwhelmed by fear because of the threats of the Jews but eagerly awaiting the fulfilment of the promise of the Saviour to them:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18). “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7)
On an eventful day, the Spirit was poured on the Holy Apostles and they began to speak boldly to the same Jews they had been afraid of. Peter, in the concluding part of his sermon in Acts 2 pointed out this eternal truth – “…Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40).
Like the first-century Christians, today, we are confronted by many issues ranging from challenges, problems, sin, rebellion, falsehood, divisions, religious madness, apathy to the true gospel, deception and worldliness which is the mother of all perverse things in our society. Like the audience of Peter, we are also warned today to save ourselves from this perverse generation otherwise; we also will become perverse and march unto the same doom for those who are perverse. However, we cannot do this alone. We need the power to overcome.
God has given us the power to overcome and to be victorious in this spiritual warfare with carnality and the world. That power is our faith. The Apostle John has written “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. As a Christian man, woman or youth know that your faith is the ONLY victory you have to overcome the world.
The message here is simple: YOUR FAITH IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD. The scripture says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ‘But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:1, 6).
Faith is complete trust or confidence in God. Our faith overcomes the world if it is rooted and grounded in God and His word.
Yes, our faith overcomes the world if it is allowed to rule in our lives:
In times of problems, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes. In times of difficulties, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes. In times of trials, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes. In times of temptation, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes. In times of pain and burdens of life, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes; In times of sickness, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes. In times of nothingness and hunger, remember that your faith is the victory that overcomes.
Happiness, Success, Joys, Achievements and wealth, in the long run, can also constitute many challenges to us if they are not moderated by faith. We must rule our lives and overcome the world with our faith. That faith must be based only on God through Christ.
Every life problem can be overcome if we allow our working faith to take charge of the situations of our lives. Do not marvel at the challenges of life. Do not be troubled for God is in control. You can overcome if you allow your working faith grounded in God through Christ to take charge.
Think about these things and the God of peace will direct you.
By: Obeten Okoi Oka (Evang.)
