OVERCOMERS
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”.
(1 John 5:5). This verse emphasizes believer’s ability to overcome the world. If we must overcome the world then in believing we equally have to trust and have total confidence in the Son of God. To believe is to be dependent and obedient. If we must overcome; then we must depend on him and obey his commandments.
Jesus says; “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). As long as we remain in Him, we are overcomers in Christ because He has triumphed over the world.
John says; “…I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one…” young men refers to those who are developing their relationship with Jesus (1 John 2:13). We will overcome spiritual foes as we progress in our walk with Jesus.
Rev 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” They overcame the accuser, the devil: their victory over him is owing to the blood of the Lamb. Of old, they overcame Pharaoh by the blood. We too can overcome by the blood and the word – through holiness and sanctification.
Then again, John adds “… They did not love their lives to the death.” Which means through martyrdom we can equally overcome the world. Overcomes are confident believers not weaklings.
Lastly, there is a special place in the world to come that awaits overcomers. Jesus declared, “I will grant to him who overcomes to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).
LET US PRAY
Father, keep us and sanctify us that we may overcome every evil, sin and eternal damnation. Amen.
Homily for 6th January 2023 (1 John 5:5-13/ps.147/Mark 1:6-11)
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
