Overcomers...(Part 1)

1 John 5:4-5 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

1 John 4:4 "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

“Overcome"... A powerful word, an emotional word, a hopeful word, an encouraging word.  Embedded within its DNA is danger, threat, conflict, suffering, loss, struggle, victory.  It is associated with disaster, disease, distressing environments, desperate conflicts.  It invokes visions of courage, strength, determination, perseverance, resiliency.

The Apostle John uses the word throughout his writing to describe Christians.  He applies that moniker to you and me!  Although I love the idea of being a victor, I really don't relish the requisite conflict.  Nonetheless, God (through John) tells me conflict is unavoidable.  Aligning myself with Jesus sets me in direct opposition to Satan and the society under his control.  Like it or not, we are at war, a war that will last a lifetime.

The bad news is that with war comes suffering and loss.  The great news is that ultimate victory is a sure thing! The key to being an overcomer is trusting Jesus completely, every day, in every aspect of my life.  He is the Commander-in-Chief.

Not until this morning did I connect Johns words in his Gospel and Epistle with what he wrote in the book of Revelation. Here John describes the rewards that will come to Overcomers, and for some reason I did not identify myself with them.  As I look at these promises with fresh eyes today, I am blown away by what I read.  I can hardly wait to delve more deeply!

Revelation 2:7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

Revelation 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

Revelation 2:17 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

Revelation 2:26-28 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. (cf. Rev 22:16)

Revelation 3:5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

Revelation 3:21 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 21:7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Dear Father, THANK YOU, not only for these awesome promises, but also for the sure victory that comes through trusting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.  I am overwhelmed by Your mercy and grace.  I trust You to overcome through me today. Amen.