1 John 5:5 5And who is the one who is victorious over the world if not the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
John asks a rhetorical question with an obvious answer for those who believe. The rhetorical purpose of the question appears to be to offer the reader an opportunity to decide whether to believe the claims about Jesus in the letter. The challenge all people face, to one degree or another, is the battle with the world (kosmon), which, in John’s writings, refers to fallen, sinful, and weak human nature that rebels against God. Being victorious (nikōn, the keyword used many times in verse 4) means overcoming sin and temptation and living in holiness and love.
To find victory over the world and all its represents, we must turn to Jesus who is the Light of the world. This victory comes through humility in reliance upon God as the source of strength and the one who points the way of love. It does not come through self-praise or self-effort, because these will only bring temporary victory at best. Faith in Jesus opens the way to eternal life. The victory is not something reserved only for when we die and go to heaven, but it can be experienced in this life, in the present. The victorious life is not just about peace for the individual, which can be too easily distorted by selfishness, living the good life, or becoming closed to loving one’s neighbor or helping those in need. Because we can have victory over the world and can walk more in the light of Jesus, we take on his qualities and love others unconditionally as God loves us. Victory through faith leads to holy and loving action, which brings assurance of eternal life.