“…In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:37
Dear Ones:
As long as we are on this earth, we will be faced with challenges, difficulties, enemies and opposition. The context in which we live is one where unbelief blinds the eyes of the heart, and God is not seen. The knowledge of God is obscured by the imaginations and speculations of men, whose philosophies and concepts have, for the most part, their origin in a fallen, and godless nature. History is filled with the mention of those who have sought to tame this fallen nature of man, even changing it, or clothing it with different appearances. Some of these have been religious, moral, or culturally “good.”. But the reality is that, from a Biblical standpoint, there is but one answer to this nature which is controlled by a principle, a law, ever holding man captive to “self,” and our enemy Satan. It is the power of Christ, by His Spirit.
In the book of Revelation, we find written at the end of every letter to the seven churches, the Lord addressing the issue of “overcoming.” Overcoming what? If we read closely, we discover that it deals with enduring, surmounting, rising above and beyond that which opposes God, and the things of God. Sometimes it has to do with needs in our own hearts and minds. At other times, it deals with overcoming an external adversary, opponent, ideology, or godless practice. In each and every circumstance, regardless of the need, the answer is the same. It is by the Spirit that the knowledge of the need is unveiled, and it by the “law of the Spirit of Life” in Christ Jesus that the need is met, and we overcome.
In all interpretation and proper application of the truths of Scripture, we of necessity must have the Lord Jesus Christ as our vision. HE is the perfect Conqueror, the Great Over-comer of every conceivable point of opposition in the world, or by the enemy of God, Satan. He declared to His disciples: “In the world, you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) In the letter to the Laodicean church, the Lord Jesus said: “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me on my throne, even as I ALSO OVERCAME, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” (Rev. 3:21) Lastly, Paul wrote to the believers in Colosse: “And (He, Christ) having spoiled principalities and powers, He mad a shew of them openly, TRIUMPHING over them in it.” (2:15) If we would be conquerors, over-comers, then it is imperative that we first have a vision of the Perfect and Complete Conqueror. Secondly, we need to have a vision of this blessed Conqueror in our hearts, for it is only by HIS Saving life, HIS victorious life, that we shall know His victory, and the overcoming life.
Dear Father, You have called us, not only to follow in the steps of Christ, but to actually LIVE by His life, His strength and power. His work on the cross is the eternal declaration of Thy power being greater than any enemy within or without, for He has conquered, not only sin and Satan, but death itself. You have set us free by this blessed “Bondage Breaker,” and at the same time, put within us His life by the Spirit, that by His power we should live and reign. Give us a clear vision of our Victor, and of our union with Him. Strengthen us to lay hold on this blessed reality, enabling us to appropriate the Lord Jesus for every need, in every place, at all times. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad