In contrast to the violent victories of Zeus and Nike, and in opposition to the myth of redemptive violence propounded by Domitian and the Romans, the victory of Christ Jesus overcomes the world once and for all. Unlike sacrifices that need to be repeated at every festival, the sacrifice of Christ has put an end to all human attempts to attain divine favor. As an affront to the garnering of favor within systems of social honor and patronage whereby accolades granted are motivated by the hope of procuring rewards and avoiding punishment, God’s loving grace is undeserved and received through faith alone. And yet, while grace is received by faith, it is manifested in the world through faithfulness. In the final chapter of 1 John as a circular read among the Asia Minor churches, both faith and…