REFERENCE SCRIPTURE: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4.
FOUNDATION: Jesus has confirmed in John 17:16 that Christians are not of this world, though they are living in the world. This narrative could be likened to a Briton residing in Nigeria even though he is not a Nigerian citizen. Just as Nigeria has a political leader and system that are different from those of Britain, so also does the earth have a spiritual ruler and order that are different from what is obtainable in the Kingdom of God. In John 14:30; Jesus said, “…for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me].” (AMP). This was one reason, Jesus could boast in John 16:33, “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Why did Jesus ask us to be of good cheer? He has demystified Satan and set an example for us to follow!
No matter how consistent a person pray, fast, tithe or sow seed; if he is not born of God, he cannot overcome the world. This is the reason the gates of hell are prevailing against Churches/Christians when Jesus has declared in Matthew 16:18 that “…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” What does it mean to be born of God? Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Just as someone could be a member of a Church and not believe in the calling of the pastor, many are led by the Spirit of God but do not yield their selves to Jesus. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” What does it mean to receive Jesus and believe in His name? Jesus answered the question in John 14:23: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
In both spiritual and physical realms, nobody wins or is promoted without a test. In order to become an over-comer, here is the test: 1 John 5:1-5 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
The spiritual value of being born of God cannot be quantified. It gives one a new identity in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, heis a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Speaking about the mystery of being born of God, Jesus said in John 14:20, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
LESSONS
Why He Who is in You Matters: Every human being is controlled either by the Spirit of God or that of Satan. Going by divine plan, the human body is the Temple of God. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16; “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (NAB). But owing largely to disobedience, many have made their bodies the shrine of the devil by doing his biddings. Jesus explained in John 8:44 that everybody does the will of the spirit controlling him. Satan is the ruler of this world. In Mark 3:24, Jesus said, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” It means that a person, who is under the control of Satan, will not oppose the desire of his master. Therefore, only persons born of God can overcome Satan and the world that he rules over.
CONCLUSION: Jesus has revealed in John 14:30 that Satan is the ruler of this world. He asked in Matthew 12:29, “…how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?” Satan has to be defeated before one can overcome his kingdom. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…” The blood of the Lamb represents the finished works of Jesus, while word of their testimony refers to Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Only those who are saved can overcome the world.