Topical Bible: Faith by It Saints: Overcome the World

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Introduction to Faith

Faith, as described in the Bible, is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is a foundational element of the Christian life, serving as the means by which believers are justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trustful reliance on God and His promises.

Faith and the Saints

Throughout Scripture, the saints—those set apart by God—demonstrate faith as a powerful force that enables them to overcome the world. This overcoming is not through human strength or wisdom but through reliance on God's power and promises. The saints' faith is characterized by obedience, perseverance, and a forward-looking hope in God's ultimate victory.

Biblical Examples of Overcoming Faith

1. Abraham: Known as the father of faith, Abraham believed God's promise that he would be the father of many nations, despite his old age and Sarah's barrenness. His faith was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, trusting in God's provision, exemplifies overcoming faith (Genesis 22).

2. Moses: By faith, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, forsaking the pleasures of Pharaoh's court. He persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Moses' faith enabled him to confront the world's most powerful empire and lead God's people to freedom.

3. David: As a young shepherd, David faced Goliath with faith in the Lord's deliverance. His confidence was not in his own ability but in the name of the Lord Almighty (1 Samuel 17:45). David's faith in God's power allowed him to overcome the giant and later become a king after God's own heart.

4. Daniel: In Babylon, Daniel's faith was tested when he was thrown into the lions' den for praying to God. His unwavering trust in God led to his miraculous preservation, demonstrating that faith can overcome even the most dire circumstances (Daniel 6).

Faith in the New Testament

The New Testament continues to highlight the overcoming nature of faith. Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of faith, calls His followers to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The apostles and early Christians faced persecution and trials, yet their faith enabled them to spread the Gospel and establish the Church.

1. The Apostles: The apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, exemplified overcoming faith through their missionary journeys and teachings. Despite imprisonment, beatings, and opposition, they remained steadfast in their mission, trusting in God's sovereignty and grace (Acts 5:29).

2. The Early Church: The early Christians, through faith, overcame societal pressures and persecution. Their faith was a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, as they lived out their convictions in a hostile world (Hebrews 10:32-34).

Theological Implications

Faith that overcomes the world is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ has already achieved victory over sin and death. As John writes, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith" (1 John 5:4). This victory is not of human origin but is granted through the redemptive work of Christ.

Practical Application

Believers today are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and His ultimate plan. This faith empowers Christians to face trials, resist worldly temptations, and live in obedience to God's Word. By faith, believers are assured of their identity in Christ and their eternal inheritance, enabling them to overcome the world in their daily lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 5:4,5
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Faith and Regeneration
... world, even our faith." What, then, does faith overcome the world ... life which is
indicated by the common faith in the ... Lord Jesus and with all his saints, in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/faith and regeneration.htm

Prayer and Trouble (Continued)
... As He had overcome the world and its tribulations, so ... how close He can come to His
praying, believing saints. It takes faith of a high order and a Christian ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/vi prayer and trouble continued.htm

The victory of Faith.
... peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ... for earthly
loss: the saints are earthly ... that the temperate man has overcome the world ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ii the victory of faith.htm

The Holy Spirit and the World.
... has spoken, or by the earnest stirring words of the saints, either spoken ... the warfare
with hearts full of cheer and by faith they shall overcome the world ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the holy spirit and the.htm

Epistle viii. To the Martyrs and Confessors.
... the Lord is the death of His saints." [2200] Precious ... soldiers and comrades, stedfast
in faith, patient in ... you have suffered tortures, have overcome the world ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle viii to the martyrs.htm

The Mouth of the Beast.
... And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power
was given ... Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.""Rev.13:5 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the mouth of the beast.htm

The Christian's Warfare.
... we are to be sound in patience, faith and charity ... been taught that they have a terrible
foe to overcome. ... Sunday that you would think they were wonderful saints. ...
/.../moody/the overcoming life/part i the christians warfare.htm

There is a Greater Freedom Now in the Saints than There was Before ...
... loves, its fears, its errors, may be overcome: the martyrdoms ... But these [the saints],
I say, not under the fear ... should stand, stood firm in the faith; while he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 35 there is a greater.htm

That the Saints Lose Nothing in Losing Temporal Goods.
... God.Book I. Chapter 10."That the Saints Lose Nothing ... after, they have erred from
the faith, and pierced ... of Job, heavily tried, but not overcome: "Naked came ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 that the saints lose.htm

Psalm XCIII.
... But they were chaff: and as he saith, "they overthrow the faith of some ... In His Saints. ...
tribulation."...He added, "but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciii.htm