This is the victory that overcomes the world; even our faith. (1 John 5:4)
This has got to be one of my favorite verses of all time. This is the victory that overcomes the world! Sometimes I preach it to myself when I’m feeling low. I declare it like I’m standing before a crowd of ten thousand people. This is the victory!
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. There is nothing in all the world that does not submit to our faith. While many things will oppose our faith, in the end they will all give way. Sickness opposes our faith every day, but in the end it gives way. Death opposes our faith, but in the end it gives way. Sorrow opposes our faith, but in the end it gives way. Poverty opposes our faith, but in the end it gives way.
Our faith is Moses faith; it stretches itself out over the seas and parts the waters! Our faith is Joshua faith; nothing can stand before it all the days of its’ life! Our faith is Caleb faith; it demands that it be given high mountains! Our faith is Samson faith; it cannot be restricted, and it carries off the gates of the city! Our faith is David faith; it slays giants and takes cities! Our faith is Daniel faith; it shuts the mouths of lions! Our faith is Jesus faith; it walks on water, feeds the hungry, opens blind eyes, sets catives free!
Even our faith.
Though the obstacles be high, our faith keeps climbing. Our faith keeps reaching. Our faith is alive; it keeps growing and developing. It keeps coming back from disappointment and disillusionment. It keeps rising up after it gets knocked down.
Even our faith.
Even when we give up, our faith does not give up. It has a mind of its own, and it keeps believing for us even when we become doubters. It is a default setting that never goes to sleep. Our faith is so powerful that it can dispossess nations and cause our children to inhabit their desolate cities. It can rebuild waste places and restore the desolations of many generations. It can give beauty for ashes, strength for weakness, the oil of joy for the spirit of mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Even our faith.
I know that you feel like your faith is weak. But that is a lie from the enemy! Your faith is strong! It is strong enough to move mountains! It is powerful enough to part seas! It is mighty enough to break strongholds! It is potent enough to destroy yokes! It is robust enough to lift burdens! Your faith is strong!
Your faith feels weak right now because you’re being tested . . . not tested so that you may fail, but tested so that you might be proved. Your faith is of greater worth than gold that perishes, though refined by fire, and your trial is causing your faith to be proved genuine so that it may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Your faith is being proved.
But fear not; when you have stood the test, you will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. Just a little while more now, and your test will come to an end! Just a little while . . . Be strong! Don’t give up!
But even if you try to give up, you can’t give up. Your faith takes a lickin and keeps on tickin because you’ve been born again not of corruptible, but incorruptible seed by the word of God which lives and abides for ever. And your new life is a new covenant life that is born out of the living hope that comes from the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. You can’t quit! Only natural things can quit. Your faith is supernatural, and it is incorruptible. You might succeed in discarding it, but you can’t kill it. It won’t die.
If you have discarded it, just pick it up again. It’s still good. It still works. It hasn’t diminished in any way. Just pick it right back up and keep moving forward. You’ll see: you’ll climb to the top of every mountain, and you’ll live the life of an overcomer.
Even our faith.
