What is victory and what does it mean? Victory is a conquest, a gaining of superiority in a contest, overcoming an enemy, success in a struggle, or to endeavor against odds or difficulties. Defeat is to suffer, a prevention of success, a loss of a contest, a failure, or to be overthrown.
At some point in our lives, have we ever felt the thrill of victory over something? Have we ever felt the pain and agony of defeat? Of course, we have.
Have we ever had hills to climb, rivers to cross, valleys to go through? Maybe there was something in our life that was a struggle. We fought for a while. Maybe we have given up because we lost hope. Or maybe we have said to ourselves, “Whatever happens, oh well.”
In this passage, John writes, that the person that dwells in Christ, proceeds not in the act of transgression. Denying sin is the incredible evidence of the spiritual association with the continuation in, and the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He that does righteously is upright, and being a follower of Christ, shows his faith in his obedience and sufferings. Regardless, a man cannot act like the devil, and simultaneously be a disciple of Christ Jesus. A regenerated person should not sin as he did before he was born again. Why is that? Because Christ’s light that is in his heart shows the evil malignancy of sin, whereby he should oppose and hate sin. We should not serve or enjoy what the Son of God came to destroy.
We, as human beings, have time in our lives when we have regions and areas where old habits and temptations are difficult to overcome. These shortcomings give Satan a traction, so we must be vigilant and be prepared to manage them. Notwithstanding, assuming that we are battling with a specific sin, these verses are not aimed at us, regardless of whether we appear to continue to sin. John is not discussing individuals whose triumphs are as yet fragmented an incomplete. He is discussing individuals who continually make an act of erring and search for ways of supporting it and justifying their behavior.
Christians should not submit to our nature to sin. John brings up that Jesus came to remove the works of the Devil. This reflects closely to…
• Hebrews 2:14, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Christians are to oppose the Devil…
• James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Who will ultimately receive his appropriate judgment…
• Revelation 20:10, And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
So, what are these three important steps to finding victory over sin? First, we are to continually read the Word of God and seek the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, we are to run away from and escape any indecent longings and lecherous impulses (lustful desires). And thirdly, we are to look for the assistance from other believers, the body of Christ. That is the responsibility and accountability to other Christians, and the supplication and prayer of others.
“Doth not commit” and “cannot sin” means that the child of God does not deliberately try to sin, nor does he become unconcerned or indifferent with God’s moral and ethical law. All believers sin, but we should be continually striving to overcome any sin. Grace does not give us permission to sin. The people who sin without thinking twice, conviction, or change have no relationship with Christ at all. Nevertheless, even a saved Christian should pick that life of good over anything evil.
Being Born of God, is when a person has accepted Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, and then the Holy Spirit lives inside us and gives us Jesus’ new life. Being born again is a rebirth into a new family because we have accepted Christ’s death as the propitiation for our sins.
God pardons us and absolutely acknowledges us into this new family. The Holy Spirit gives us new personalities and hearts, he lives in us, and starts assisting us with resembling Christ. Our viewpoint changes as well. We have a psyche that is restored step by step by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24). So, we should start to think and act in a way that is different and opposite to our former lives (John 3:1-21).
“For his seed remaineth in him” refers to the children of God that are abiding in God. A new life was born within us so we should choose not make a practice of sin. Victory brings happiness, joy, and contentment. Defeat brings heaviness, sorrow, and pain.
• Isaiah 43:18-19, Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
• Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
• Psalms 118:6, The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
• Ecclesiastes 3:1, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
• Job 23:10, But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Church Hymnal, page 120, “Victory In Jesus”
I heard an old, old story
How a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning
Of His precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory
O victory in Jesus
My Savior, forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood
