Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 5 · Verse 4, 5
1 JOHN 5.4, 5.
For whatſoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jeſus is the Son of God?
VEerſ. 1. the Apoſtle had made an evidence of the love of God to keep his commandements, and to do them with eaſe. This he proves verſ. 4. by an argument taken from the removall of the impediments of Gods love in ſuch an heart, and that is the overcoming of the world. And the argument ſtands thus: To them that overcome thy world, Gods commandement… an eaſie yoke: But they that are born of God have overcome the world; Ergo, Its the love of the world that hinders our obedience to Gods commandements. This kept off the young man, ſo every one that is kept off, it's for the love of ſome pleaſure or profit, which they wil not deny, & ſo Gods commandements ſeem burdenſome
Doct. 1. Every regenerate Chriſtian, is a victorious Chriſtian, a conquerour of the world.
Every Chriſtian be he never ſo poor that hath but the leaſt pittance or ſhred of true grace, hath a mighty power in him to overcome the world. It was a famous thing of old to be but conquerors of the world, as the Babilonian and Romane Monarchies were. But St. John teſtifies here, that every Chriſtian is Lord of the whole world, 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. He hath it there by gifts, but here by conqueſt, he overcomes the world viz. ſo far as it is an enemy to grace. Indeed, in themſelves the comforts of the world are good and uſefull but as far as they have a ſnare in them, he overcomes them, 1 John 4.4. The honours of the world have a ſnare in them to puffe up our hearts, 2 Chron. 26.16. Profit of the world choak the good ſeed of the Word, Mat. 13.22, 23. So the pleaſures of the world they make the Word unfruitfull, Luk. 8.19.
Now, how doth a regenerate Chriſtian overcome this?
1 He abideth conſtant in his Chriſtian courſe, notwithſtanding the flattering or threatning of the world, ſo that he will not be ſeduced by any of theſe ſnares, Eph. 6.11, 13. Paul would not give place to ſuch ſeducements; no, not for an hour: Now, that is a part of a mans victory, to hold his owne, and to keep his ſtanding, and not to flit; ſuch a man is never ſaid to be overcome that keeps his ſtanding.
2 He not onelyonly holds his own, but he reſiſts his enemies, he muſters up all the forces he hath to reſiſt the temptations of the world. Jam. 4.7. Reſiſt the devill, and he will fly from you. Stand out againſt a temptation, and you overcome it. Joſeph being tempted by his Miſtris, he takes into his hands for his weapons Gods commandements, and his Maſters kindneſſe, Gen. 39.7, 8, 9. That that would be a diſhonour to God, and an injury to his Maſter, and ſo he overcame the temptation.
3. To overcome a temptation, is to make a good uſe of every temptation, and to get ground by it, that the more he is invited by a temptation the more earneſt he is againſt it, and the more forward in his Chriſtian courſe. When Michael reproved David for his unſeemly dancing (as ſhe thought) Why, ſaith he, I will be yet more vile. Whereas her temptation was fetcht from his diſgrace; why, he would bear more ſuch diſgrace: So when Johns Diſciples ſtirred him up to emulation againſt Chriſt, that he carryed away all the applauſe of the people after him. What ſaith John, He muſt increaſe, and I muſt decreaſe. He is the Bridegroome, and I but his friend. And it is my joy and glory to ſee him glorious: ſo that he made an advantage by that temptation, and drew them on the more to honour Chriſt, by how much the more they ſought to debaſe him: the more we are tempted to covetouſneſſe, wantonneſſe, or emulation, the more liberall; chaſte, and …umble let us grow. This is to overcome a temptation, to take a ſpoyl, to enrich our ſelves by the ſpoyl of our enemies, that is ſuch a conqueſt as the Apoſtle calls more then a conqueſt, Rom. 8.37. In all this we do more then conquer. For a conqueror gets a victory ſometimes, but with much wounds and loſſe▪ we ſometimes with no loſſe. 2 After victories they grow Inxurious. As it was ſaid of the Romans after their great conqueſts.
Luxuria incubuit, victumque ulciſcitur urbem.
But a godly man ſo overcomes and divides the ſpoyl that he ſpoyls not himſelf. Worldly conquerors fall to ryot and exceſſe after their victories, but a Chriſtian conqueror grows more wary and humble, and ſober then before. As it was ſaid of John Baptiſt by Chriſt, A Prophet, yea more then a Prophet: So, a regenerate man is a conqueror, yea more then a conqueror.
Reaſ. From Chriſts victory over the world, Rom. 8.37. It is through him that loved us. Chriſt hath overcome the world, John 16. ult. Therefore I am to wreſtle but with a wounded, pimoned enemy, Chriſt having led captivity captive, I come but to contend with a captive world, and ſo I overcome through Chriſt that hath loved me. It's the death of Chriſt that hath crucified the world to me, Gal. 6.14. And therefore I am to fight but with a crucified enemy.
2 From the mighty power of Gods Word abiding in a Chriſtians heart, 1 John 2.14. The commandements of God, and his promiſes do ſo rule in his heart, that no flatterings of the world, no commandements of men can overſway him.
3 From the Spirit of God dwelling in them, which is greater then the ſpirit of the world, 1 John 4.4. This Spirit doth ſo mortifie him to the world, and ſo quicken him to grace, that he overcomes the world.
Obj. Did not Demas a great profeſſor, forſake Paul, and embrace this preſent world? 2 Tim. 4.10, Have not many for the live of the world erred from the faith? 1 Tim. 6.9, 10. Was it not ſo with Ananias and Saphira, and Judas? The love of this world overcame them. Hath not the love of the world overcome many of the Germane Chriſtians to apoſtatize to Idolatry, and yeeld themſelves to the temptations thereof? How is it true then, that every poor Chriſtian overcomes the world?
Anſw. 'Tis true, the world prevails with many profeſſors, but many of them were never truly born of God, as Demas and Judas, Ananias and Saphira.
Obj. Do you think that every one that is led away with the world, hath no ſhred of true grace in him?
Anſw. No, for then I might condemne the generation of the righteous; for it may eaſily fall out, that ſometimes the ſervants of God are ſo filled with the world, that they have much ado to take pains about edifying themſelves, or keeping peace with God. But yet, though a true Chriſtian be led captive by the world, ſo as he hath little skill in any thing elſe but worldly matters; full of dexterity in the world, and but a bungler in grace; yet if a man be born of God, the Spirit of God at length will let him ſee his error, and then be will mourn for it, and oppoſe and reſiſt to the death. As a childe getting into a boat, at length the wind riſeth, and carryeth the boat from the ſhoar, and toſſes him in the deep, he is not able to uſe the oares to bring him to the ſhoar, but after much toyling he is drowned, and a puffe of wind, or the return of the floud, caſts him on the ſhoar dead: So, many times a Chriſtian falls a tampering with the world, and it pleaſeth him well, till at length the world heaves and carries him up, untill he be carryed into the main, plunged ſo deep in the world, that he ſees he hath loſt his love to God, and then he ſtrives to recover himſelfe, and labours and goes mourning to his grave but at his death, he is caſt up ſafely on the ſhoar, the ſeed of God hath kept ſome life of grace in him.
Ʋſe 1. Shews the hypocriſie of ſuch as are carryed wholly captive with the world, ſuch were never truly born of God. Stella cadens, nunquam ſtella, cometa fuit. Some illumination may make them blaze a while, but they vaniſh away at length.
Ʋſe 2. Shews us the marvellous danger of the world. We think it an happy thing to lade our ſelves with thick clay, to have our treaſuries full, and our houſes well furniſhed. Why, would a man think himſelfe rich, if his houſe were full of enemies? Why, truly ſuch is the world, it carries us into the deep, and drowns us with many ſinfull luſts. Therefore the more we have of the world, the more wary grow we of keeping the world ſhackled, that it may not hinder us, but help us to more freedome; as a man, the more Sea-room, the better he ſails: So let Chriſtians that have much of the world, learn to be more free for God.
Doct. 2. It's the faith of a Chriſtian that helps him to overcome the world.
Moſes his example is full, Heb. 11.24, to 28. We ſee here.
1 Honor might have tempted him. He might have been called the Son of Pharoahs daughter, this he refuſed by faith.
2 There was much treaſure to be got in the Court, but by faith he esteemed the reproach of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Aegypt.
3 He might have had many pleaſures in the Court, but by faith he eſteemed the affliction of Gods people before the pleaſures of ſin.
4 He might have incurred the Kings wrath, but by faith he feared not the Kings wrath. So that, let the world flatter or threaten, faith overcomes it.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe faith inlightens the minde, to ſee things in another manner then the world ſeeth them. Faith lets us ſee things as they are. Faith lets Moſes ſee, that to be called Gods Son, is far greater honour then to be called the Son of Pharoah's daughter. Faith lets him ſee, that the afflictions of Gods ſervants are better then worldly pleaſure. Faith lets him ſee, that Gods wrath is more to be feared then the Kings. Faith is of a diſcerning nature, Heb. 11.1. Faith makes that evident to a Chriſtian, which others ſee not.
2 Faith eſtates us into Chriſt. Now Chriſt dwelling in us by faith inables us to overcome the world.
3 Faith hath a power to purifie our hearts, Acts 15.9. 2 Pet. 1.14. from the luſts of the world. Faith looks at God as our portion, and therefore regards not the profits of the world. 2 Faith cleanſeth us from voluptuouſneſſe. Faith lets us ſee more joy and pleaſure in Gods favour, then in all the contents of the world. 3 Faith eſtabliſheth our hearts in Gods fear, Prov. 29.25. and therefore makes us not to be afraid of the wrath of men; ſo that faith fenceth us on every ſide againſt the world
4. Faith layes hold on the promiſes, 2 Pet. 1.5. Now, Gods promiſes have a power to take off our minds from the world. Faith beleeves the promiſes of Gods protection and proviſion and goodneſſe, and therefore makes us not to regard the world.
Ʋſe 1. To teach a Chriſtian never to go without the continual exerciſe of his faith. The wor…d will be ſtill drawing us away, either after pleaſure or profit, or elſe will diſcourage you with fears and dangers. Why, faith alone is able to overcome them; therefore live continually by faith, depend upon Chriſt, look up to the promiſes, and you ſhall be too hard for the world.
Ʋſe 2. Of comfort to every faithfull believer, in order to their perſeverance. If faith overcomes the world, then it will overcome Satan, and your owne luſts.
Doct. 3. To them that have overcome the world, the yoke of Gods commandements is eaſie.
By the world we heard is not to be underſtood the creatures, but there be ſomethings in the world that have a ſnare in them. 2 There be many comforts in the world that are apt to draw our mindes from God. Again, there are many diſcomforts and dangers, which are enemies to grace. Now, to him that hath overcome theſe, the yoke of Gods commandements is eaſie. Paul to whom the world was crucified, Gal. 6.14. when he hears that bonds and afflictions attend him. he cares for none of theſe things, he can fulfill his courſe with joy for all theſe, then ſurely his task is not a grievous yoke, but joyfull.
Reaſ. 1. From the weapons that the world lends Satan in every temptation. Whatſoever temptation comes from Sotan, or from our own corruptions, they finde no argument to perſwade us, but only taken from the world; ſo that if once you have overcome the world, no temptation will lay hold on you. There have been many that have been willing to partake of Chriſt, but when Chriſt hath bid them part with all, they went away ſorrowful. Mat. 10.22. Here was a loſſe of profit kept him off. Some are kept off by profits, ſome by pleaſures, Luke 14.18, 19, 20. The profits of the world made Ananias diſſemble, the love of the world made Demas forſake Paul. What made Achitophel hang himſelf, but diſgrace of the world? For eaſe ſake Judas hanged himſelfe: So ſome mens credit and honors keep them off, John 5.44. How can ye believe that receive honour one of another? The ſeeking of worldly honour and glory, hinders them from ſeeking Gods glory, John 12.42, 43. All the diſcouragements that hinder in our Chriſtian courſe, are either from the profits, pleaſures, or honors of the world. If therefore we have got victory over the world, then no temptation ſhall make us think Gods yoke grievous. What made Herod and Demas, and others think Gods commandements heavy but their profits and pleaſures?
Ʋſe 1. May ſerve to teach thoſe that would walk on in a Chriſtian courſe with freedome and liberty, to wean their affections from the love of the world. Bear a crucified affection to the contents of the world, and then Gods yoke will not ſeem heavy.
1 Though the commandements be great and heavy, yet as a man is, ſo is his ſtrength. When a man hath got victory over the world, hee hath got Chriſt in his ſoul, and ſo through the ſtrength of Chriſt he is able to prevail, 1 John 4.4. And withall, there abides with him the mighty power of Gods Spirit, and Gods Word, which affords him mighty ſtrength.
2. There is a weakning of the enemy. All the weapons that Satan uſeth are took away when a man hath once overcome the world: were a man advanced to the ſtars, he would ſee the ſtars to be huge immenſe things, far above that they ſeem now, and he would look at the earth as a ſmall point. But if we ſtand here below, we look at the earth as a great thing. We think worldly honors and preferments great dignities, and the ſtars we think them ſmall things, becauſe we ſtand below, and are renewed from them; but in caſe God lift us above the world, and we might have our eyes enlightened to ſee the greatneſſe of Gods favour, and Chriſts blood, and heavenly things; why, then thoſe earthly things would ſeem ſmall. If we would therefore walk in an enlarged frame, let us eſteem earthly things as ſmall matters, worth little regard, and account heavenly things as worthy your higheſt eſteem, and chiefly to be looked at.