When troubles and difficulties arise (as they inevitably will) we continue to trust that God cares for us and will work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Jesus told his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me,” (John 14:1). He also told them, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33). Jesus has overcome the world through his obedient life, death on the cross and resurrection for our justification (Romans 4:25). We participate in his victory through faith. As John says elsewhere, “Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith,” (1 John 5:4-5).
It’s interesting that John describes our faith as “the victory that has overcome the world.” I suppose he says this because it is through faith that we are brought into union with Christ, who has overcome the world on our behalf. We thus share in Jesus’ victory as our own, through faith.
From all that has been said, it is apparent (I think) that Christian faith, when properly understood, cannot plausibly be viewed as merely an “addition” to our life. Rather, faith in Christ should be seen as the “foundation” of our life, for it unites us with the life of God, causing us to be spiritually reborn, and giving us authority to become the sons and daughters of God (John 1:12). If such faith is genuine, it radically transforms every aspect of our life. Those who pride themselves on being Christians but who are eager to assure a watching world that they are not “radical” in their beliefs, or that they don’t take all of this too seriously, may want to earnestly inquire into the reality of their “faith.” As Paul encouraged the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
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Approved by Faculty for the College of Theology on Nov. 9, 2022.