Faith that Overcomes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)

It’s hard getting up day after day and persevering in a world that doesn’t cooperate.  There’s a popular saying:

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s Why it’s Called the Present.” 

It can help us to remember that the faith for today is a gift of God.  It helps us to overcome…today.  And a string of todays–one day at a time–becomes a lifetime of faithfulness.

It’s better than the plaque I saw at a thrift store (for sale): “If today didn’t come, stop believing in tomorrow.”  I’m still not sure what I think of that, except to say that it’s among the most faithless thoughts I’ve seen put to print.  More than anything, it’s nonsensical because:

 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Yesterday is gone and indeed it is history.  Tomorrow is the stuff of faith.  But in the present, God gives us the gift of faith that overcomes…in the moment…every moment…no matter what the day holds.  This is the victory.  It is the faith that overcomes.