The Object of Faith

1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world---our faith.”

This promise ("For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.") exudes confidence. Why is it then that so many Christians are being overcome by the world instead of overcoming? The key to becoming victorious over the world system is faith. Have you ever heard someone say that they have lost their faith? Do you understand where faith comes from? Romans 10:17 says that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” From this passage of Scripture it is clear that faith comes by HEARING the Word. Hearing is definitely the first step to faith, but in my opinion the writer is conveying much more. I know a lot of Christians who are attending church on a weekly basis and HEARING the Word of God, but being overcome by the world system. Hearing is an action word in the same way that faith is an action word. Take for example this verse from the Psalms: “Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication (Psalms 28:6).” When the psalmist writes that God HEARD his voice, he is saying that God not only heard his prayer, but also answered it. For God to HEAR the prayer of one of his children means that He took action. In the same way, for us to HEAR the Word of God is not enough; we must take action! “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;” (Proverbs 22:17) In order to have the faith that overcomes the world we have to hear the word and apply our minds to that knowledge. Every Christian, without exception, whether spiritual or carnal, mature or immature can have the faith it takes to gain victory if they take action. “…but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)

Faith is simply taking God at His Word. Faith in an adequate object will always produce a good outcome. (Romans 8:28) Before I made my first jump from an airplane I didn't have faith that the parachute on my back would work. I hoped that it would work, but the fear of falling to my immanent death was stronger than the faith I had in my equipment. I didn’t believe that my equipment was adequate. However, now that I have jumped over thirty times, I have complete confidence (faith Hebrews 11:1) in my parachute. What used to be fear has become faith. Without the experience of jumping I would never had attained faith in the adequacy of my equipment. You will never understand the adequacy of God’s Word until you apply it by faith over and over again. (Hearing and hearing Romans 10:17) We gain victory over the world by placing faith in God’s Word. Victory does not come by placing faith in ourselves. The adequate object of our faith is the promises of God. When we put God’s principles to practice by faith every day, we press on to victory. Are you victorious over the world? Take action and apply God’s Word by faith.