This world is not our home. We are just passing through. We love this world. We take responsibility for the world. But sometimes we have to fight against the world.
Victory over the world means not conforming to the values of the world. We lived in a contentious, polarized time. There are many negative problems with our fractured society, but one advantage it offers is clarity. There is what the Bible teaches, and then there is what the culture teaches. What is a family? The Bible teaches one thing, the culture teaches another. When does human life begin? The Bible teaches one thing, the culture teaches another. How do you treat the poor and the alien among you? The Bible teaches one thing, the culture teaches another. Victory over the world means charitably, respectfully, and clearly not conforming to the values of the world.
Victory over the world ultimately means keeping faith. The victory is not in ruling the world or subduing the world or changing the world, even if it does need changing. The victory is in keeping faith. The victory is slipping out of the world’s grip upon us. We win by staying free from the influence of the world, because our hope is not in the world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” Then he said, “Take courage, I have overcome the world.” Jesus Christ gives you victory over the world.
In our sermon this Sunday, we will talk about how our faith in Jesus Christ gives us victory over the world.