The Epistle of 1 John – Part Fifteen

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

This is the fifteenth part of a series on the epistle of 1 John written by John the apostle. In this series we will cover the basic concerns John had for writing this letter to Christians. Included are the fourteen reasons he wrote these epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John as well as the eleven assurances we have that establish our salvation as a Christian.

 

1 John 5:4-5

“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.”

 

As Christians we are victors, winners, conquerors and over comers, not because of our own resources and skills, but because of God who saved us and lives in us

 

The word “overcomes” (nikao) is one of John’s favorite words. It is used 28 times in the New Testament and 24 of those instances it is used by John. It means “to conquer,” “gain the victory” or “to defeat.” It was a popular term used by the Greeks for they believed that ultimate victory could only be achieved not by mortals, but by the gods. This expression used by John was amazing. It implied to the current society that Christians were invincible as the gods, because followers of Christ served and were indwelt by the One and Only True God.

 

Earlier John in 1 John 2:13-14 had spoken of how the young men had overcome the Devil because the Word was in them. Here John repeats for emphasis that Christians can overcome the sinful world ruled by Satan and the invisible world of his demonic forces. Followers of Christ overcome the world because of who they are in Christ and because of their obedience to the Word of God.

 

In John 16:33 Jesus gives hope to us when we face trials and tribulations, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Because Jesus overcame the world, we can as well. Because Jesus endured torture, scorn and hardship, so can we.

 

Romans 8:37-39 also encourages us that we are conquerors because of Jesus Christ. It says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can remove us from the protective arms of Jesus Christ. Nothing can take away the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Nothing can cancel the forgiveness we received from our Heavenly Father and nothing can remove the grace and mercy God gave to us.

 

1 Corinthians 15:57 tells us that as over comers God has given us victory because victory rests in our relationship with Christ. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

In Revelation we see the over comers in the seven churches receive specific blessings and gifts. It’s amazing the great privileges and rewards we will receive as over comers when we reach Heaven. Below are the scriptures that talk of these gifts.

 

Revelation 2:7

Statement to the church at Ephesus

 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

 

Revelation 2:1

Statement to the church at Smyrna

 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

 

Revelation 2:17

Statement to the church at Pergamum

 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”

 

In ancient times a white stone was given to victorious athletes in the athletic games and it served as an admission pass to a special celebration for the winners. God promises admittance to the eternal victory celebration in Heaven for those who accept His son as Lord and Savior.

 

Revelation 2:26-28

Statement to the church at Thyatira

 

“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ -just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.”

 

In Heaven we will not sit on a cloud playing a harp all day. We’ll be given responsibilities to rule in God’s Kingdom. We will be given tasks and assignments to accomplish for His glory. The Lord will delegate His authority to believers and, during His millennial kingdom, they will reign with Him as under shepherds of the Chief Shepherd. Christ also promises them the Morning Star. This is Christ. This is nothing less than a promise of Christ Himself in all His fullness.

 

Revelation 3:5-6

Statement to the church at Sardis

 

“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

Revelation 3:12-13

Statement to the church at Philadelphia

 

“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

Revelation 3:21-22

Statement to the church at Laodicea

 

“To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

Believers are no longer part of the world system because we have overcome the world through the saving work of Christ on the cross and the grace given us when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Colossians 1:13-14 tells us how we have been rescued from the world and of how we have been redeemed and transformed spiritually by receiving Jesus into our hearts, minds and souls. Philippians 3:19-21 is a most encouraging verse for us as Believers for it speaks of the ultimate act of overcoming the world and our sinful flesh. It tells of how by God’s power He will transform our lowly bodies to be like that of Christ and glorified in nature. We can’t even imagine what this will be like. But it is a reward for those who believe in Christ, obey His commands and love others in a godly “agape” fashion.

 

1 John 5:6-8

“This is the one who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”

 

Water here refers to the Baptism of Christ, Blood refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of course refers to the witness of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus Christ who was God in the flesh. The credentials of Christ are verified not only by His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17) but also by His death on the cross (Matthew 27:27-46) and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 10:15-23).

 

John makes an important statement here about how the meaning of the baptism of Christ, the salvation that is in His crucifixion and the message and ministry of the Holy Spirit. John is stating that they are all in agreement with the veracity of who Jesus was (both God and man) as well as how His life, death and resurrection prove He is the Savior of the world. God is consistent in His message. He will never contradict Himself. His Holy Word is consistent with His character and His character is consistent with that of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.