The Overcomer

“…Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Dear Ones:

The Apostle John, writing in exile from the Isle of Patmos, declared:  “…as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 Jn. 4:17)  What does he mean by this?  One element of the answer lies in the fact, and proof, that the Lord Jesus did just as He said.  He overcame the world, that world system of godlessness and unbelief, falsehoods and deceit, temptation and suffering…to accomplish the perfect work of redemption.  The Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians, unveiling to them that Christ, “…spoiled principalities and powers, He made an open show of them, TRIUMPHING over them.” (2:15)  Again, what is he saying?  Christ has overcome every obstacle, all resistance, every natural and spiritual enemy, to do and accomplish the will of His Father perfectly, in order to save us.  We are called, as the hymn-writer put it, “…to follow in His train,” or as the Apostle Peter put it, “…that ye should follow in His steps.” (2:21)  This means that we are to be over-comers, as Christ overcame.  How is this to be, since we are like sheep, helpless and defenseless against our enemy, and the world?

The answer to knowing the reality of this victorious and overcoming life, is revealed to us in two words:  PATTERN and POWER.  Christ is not only the forerunner who has preceded us; He is our present example of all things being possible by Him.  The writer of the letter to the Hebrews, encourages us to look at the “great cloud of witnesses,” that have preceded us.  So many are the individuals throughout the centuries, who have been over-comers.  Were they perfect? Did they perfectly over-come?” No.  But, by the grace of God theirs was the experience of increasingly overcoming their enemies to glorify Christ.  Thus, the call is for us to “…lay aside EVERY weight (burden), and the sin that would so easily beset us, and let us RUN with endurance the race set before us.” (12:1)  It is, as we tend to these matters, and choose to, “…look unto Jesus,” that we can “set” our affection on Him, setting Him before us, who is our example.  This One, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, endured the cross because of the joy set before Him, despising the shame, and is SET down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (v.2)  The PATTERN of the over-comer is Christ Himself.

What about the POWER to overcome?  John, again writing from Patmos, declares:  “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because, greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world.” (1 Jn.4:4)  The POWER to overcome is also Christ Himself.  It is, as we focus on fellowship with Him, that we can pray and trust Him to, “strengthen us in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts BY FAITH.”  It is as we surrender to Christ to embrace the pattern of His life, and appropriate Christ by faith as our power, that we shall overcome, and “reign in life” by One Christ Jesus.

Dear Father, open our eyes to see the Lord Jesus set before us as our Pattern. Give us to take Him as our Power, enabling us to overcome and do Your will, for Your glory and honor.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love, Dad