Divide and Conquer (I John 5:4-5)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

THE STUDY:

          John emphasizes victory again: everyone born (gegennēmenon) of God overcomes the world. This implies that those born of God continue in their new way of life. Those who do are already victorious.

The risen and reigning Jesus is already victorious. Christians participate in the “once-for-all” victory of Jesus over the world (John 16:23) by their faith.

What do believers overcome?

Earlier John mentioned overcoming “false prophets” (4:1) and “the spirit of antichrist” (4:3). Here it is the world. This is not a new opponent. All three expressions describe those who left the Johannine community (2:19).

            The promise of victory is thematically similar to phrases at the end of each of the seven letters in Rev 2–3. There the one “who overcomes” is promised appropriate rewards: “I will give” (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). In 1 John, overcoming is tied to faith, that is, to ongoing trust in God. This faith is not individualistic, but corporate/communal (Jones 2009, 209). We are not left to survive alone. It is our shared faith, held in common with the entire community, that enables us to participate in the victory already won by Christ.^[1]

                   

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that it is through our FAITH that we overcome. Our faith and the faith of others is what gives us the VICTORY, not just over the false prophets and the antichrist, but the World as well.

CONCLUSION:

          Without going into a lot of historical detail, if the American Indians would have united as one group we may not be able to call ourselves “Americans” today. But with the Indians being divided by tribes and such we were able to pick each group off and eventually take over this land.

          This is exactly what Satan is trying to do when it comes to man’s salvation, “Divide and Conquer.” How can we have victory over this scheme? By regularly gathering together as a body of faith to worship the one true God. This will help encourage, strengthen, and build each others faith.   

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (158–159). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.