Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. We need some victory in our lives and in our churches, and we have that in Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we Christians get to looking a bit defeated, but we aren’t. We have the Holy Spirit within us bearing witness to the fact that by faith in Christ Jesus we are on the winning side. We can get down at times, especially when our focus gets on the wrong things, but we don’t need to stay down. We can be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus, knowing by the surety of faith that we have wonderful victory. We are not defeated. God is already victorious.

1 John 5:4-6

4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

God’s commandments are not grievous when you understand how much He loves you and you learn to love Him more. People are willing to put up with many rules if they enjoy something. Professional sports are riddled with rules that fans love when applied to the opposing teams, yet they say Christianity is too rigid, though we basically have only two rules to worry about: Love God and Love your neighbor. The truth is that God’s commandments are not grievous. Those who are born of God and who desire to draw closer to Him can easily understand this.

1 John 5:1-3

1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear. Fear pervades our society. Some people use fear to try to bring you into their way of thinking. We have seen people make some terrible decisions and do some crazy things in the name of fear. Manmade religions historically have used fear to force people into their system of belief. The world over the ages have tried to bully the Christian into submission by fear. But God’s way for us is a love that casts out fear.

1 John 4:16-19
16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19. We love him, because he first loved us.