Sixth Sunday in Easter: Epistle, 1 John 5:1-8                              

1 John 5:1-8

What in the world has happened to the world? Our world? Now, in the answer I am going to give to the preceding questions I want you to all understand I am not aiming to be trite, lighthearted, or anything of that sort. Here’s the answer: Just what one should have expected from the beginning. Well, at least from the fateful moment of our first parent’s rebellion against the Word of God. What has happened to the world is the perfect and predictable trajectory of created beings who spurn, deny, and rebel against the very One who brought them and all they see (and don’t see) into existence. You don’t like the world? Blame your race. And there’s only one: the human race. 

Now, I don’t want to open too many theological boxes in this short meditation because our focus is the way out. And by that I don’t mean some easy escape that denies responsibility or our place in making things as good for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors as possible. Think of Israel in exile in Babylon. God even gave the exiles instructions on how to bless their captors. As an aside, if you think the Christian Church is existing in anything but exile, well you may be more of the problem than you thought. Onward.

John, that “disciple whom Jesus loved,” writes in his first epistle, “and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith” (5:4). Two things. Faith is a gift given by God, so the source of our victory is God Himself. Perhaps no surprise there. But next, “has overcome.” Notice the tense. Past tense. Our victory born of faith is done, accomplished, and “behind” us in the sense that the past has produced our present. We have overcome this world that is spinning out of control on so many fronts. And we stand above the fray in a sense for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel, lending necessary clarity, and prayer. God’s Word is needed as always and the stronger the pushback, the more necessary our constant resolve. God grant it to those whom You have caused to overcome. By faith.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!