No Turning Back

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 
1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)

A tribal chief in India brings a new Christian and his family before the tribe. “You’ll either turn your back on Christ or face execution.” The man replies, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

That angry chief kills the man’s children right in front of his eyes, but this man still will not deny Jesus. The chief executes his wife, and the man says, “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.” As he is being put to death, he says, “The cross before me, the world behind me.” 

Later the chief and the entire village become believers because of his testimony.

Did he overcome? Three times throughout the Apostle John’s letter, he talks about overcoming. The Greek word for “victory” in today’s verse is nike. One thing I love about John is that he wants to win, and he wants you to win. John asks a question that answers itself in the second half of this verse. Who wins against the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

The world, the devil, and your flesh are against you, but God didn’t put you here to be a victim. He put you here to be a victor. He didn’t put you here to be conquered. He put you here to be a conqueror.

How can you remember that today? Try taping “The cross before me, the world behind me” to your bathroom mirror. When an opportunity arises at work to declare that you are Christian, say in your heart, “I have decided.” Then tell them why you follow Jesus.

When you come over to Jesus, you overcome all things, and there’s no turning back.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. When the world pushes me to turn back, remind me of the man who followed You no matter what it cost. Give me the faith to keep the cross before me and the world behind me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.