05/12/2025
Of all the victories you could win in this world, the greatest is to live a contented life, having defeated sin and evil pleasure by trusting in Christ. John, the great love disciple, knew that the love for God would ultimately bring victory in this world.
John uses an interesting Greek word for victory that only appears this one time in the entire New Testament. It is the word Nike, which has been made famous today by the shoe and apparel brand. The slogan for the Nike company is well known: "Just do it."
John uses this word to convey to his readers that this is a fight you must prepare for every day. Dr. Harry Rimmer, in Voices from the Silent Centuries, writes: "The word John used (for victory) was NIKE, and it has but one possible meaning in the vernacular, that of a victory or conquest made as a result of a premeditated military campaign."
For there to be victory, there must be a fight, the good fight of faith. This fight of faith will lead to a supernatural victory of contentment. But like any fight, it requires a battle plan. If you want your day to have contentment, you will have to premeditate on your actions for the day; otherwise, you will never have victory in this area. This battle plan needs to include an attitude of gratitude, casting all your cares on the Lord, praying about everything, and watching your thought life.
To have victory in this world requires more than just hearing God's word but also showing your faith and love for Him by doing His commandments. God knows this will lead a believer to true and lasting contentment.
