How Do We Overcome?

How Do We Overcome? - Gary Stearman -

www.prophecywatchers.com

 

How do we overcome the trials and difficulties of this life? Any faithful Christian who hears this question will be quick to answer, "... through Christ." Those words come from Paul, writing to the Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

 

Events of the last few months have caused many to recall the last century, with two World Wars, the Great Depression, relentless epidemics, and Communist revolutions.

Suddenly, our thoughts have been wrenched toward images of police-state tactics, rampant disease, food shortages, transportation problems and a state-controlled society.

 

We tend to focus on emerging threats. Of course, the Bible tells us that we have an enemy who will use them to extend his web of control.

 

We watch, fearing that in one way or another, we'll lose control of the stability that has graced our lives over the last few decades. Or could we lose everything? For Christians, the answer to this question is a resounding, "No!"

 

Think, once again, about the things we possess that can never be taken from us. Think also of the rock-solid fact that, through Christ, we transcend the challenges of this life:

"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5). John's confidence is intense. His letters are vibrantly alive with hope and promise.

 

In fact, in the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, he refers to the faithful "overcomers" eight times - in the process, listing a dozen promises:

1 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7).

 

2 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11).

 

3 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. 2:17).

 

4 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:" (Rev. 2:26).

 

5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5).

 

6 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name" (Rev. 3:12).

 

7 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev. 3:21).

 

8 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Rev. 21:7).

 

To eat of the tree of life, and not be hurt of the second death - to eat of the hidden manna and possess a white stone with a new name - to be given power over the nations - to be clad in white raiment and permanently inscribed in the Book of Life and be recommended by Christ to the Father and His angels - to be a pillar in God's Temple and have His name written upon us - to be seated with Him in His throne - to inherit all things and be a son of God!

 

Focus on these things, and the challenges of this life will melt away in the perspective of His lovingkindness. That's what you call overcoming! And sometime soon, we'll have to talk about that white stone!