read this this morning

"Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what give us victory." - 1John 5:4
I'm sure I've read this verse before, but it hit me hard this morning.
There's so much in this verse, that I don't know where to start. The first thing that struck me is that it's our faith that gives us victory. Not our "quiet time", our good behaviour, our ministry, our service... but our faith. Granted, our faith affects all those other areas. Faith gives us victory because it is the thing that will keep our feet planted. It is the thing that gives us the courage to fight. If we don't believe victory is possible, we won't fight for it. Like the old journey song says.. "don't stop believing".
Second... "every child of God can defeat the world.."
why have I never paid attention to that verse before!!?? every child can defeat the world. Not just tolerate or get through it or make the best of it, but defeat it. The New American Standard version reads "for whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world - our faith." The Greek word translated there as "defeat" or "overcome" is nikao, and literally means "to conquer" or "victory". One of the definitions is "[victory] of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions."

What power and hope there is in this verse!