Essex Remembrancer 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. I. THE CHRISTIAN, BY FAITH, OVERCOMES THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE WORLD. II. THE UNKINDNESS OF THE WORLD A CHRISTIAN OVERCOMES BY FAITH. Under this head I include persecution, reproach, calumny, treachery, and misrepresentation. All men are exposed to these more or less — Christians not excepted. Nothing so sours the temper and breaks the spirit, throws men off their guard, so provokes them to revenge, as unkind, unjust, and cruel treatment. Men of the world are overcome by it. They cannot brook an insult — their honour is touched, their pride wounded. Faith makes a Christian conquer here — faith in such exhortations as these (Romans 12:14, 17-21; 1 Peter 2:20-23). III. THE CALAMITIES OF THE WORLD A CHRISTIAN OVERCOMES BY FAITH. Adversity and misfortune, as it is called, will overtake us in some shape or other. Men destitute of religion, who have no faith, sink beneath the weight of the burden, are driven to despair, break forth into loud complaints of Providence. 1. Let those persons who are the friends of the world remember they are the enemies of God, .and dying so, will be condemned with it at last. 2. Let the Christian "be of good cheer." Christ has overcome the world for him, and through faith in Him he shall overcome it too. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. |
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