Life
is not easy. It is full of many challenges and obstacles to overcome. The
greatest challenge of this life, however, is a spiritual one for each human
being will make choices that will determine the destiny of his or her soul.
God, being for us, wants us to become spiritual overcomers.
The
Greek word most often translated “overcomer” stems from the word nikewhich,
according to Strong’s Concordance, means “to carry off the victory.
The verb implies a battle.” There is a spiritual battle that surrounds us as
the holiness of God combats the spiritual darkness of evil that wants to keep
us enslaved to sin and keep us from recognizing and desiring the love of God.
But,God’s Word tells us how to have victory in this spiritual battle.
“For
everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory
that has overcome the world—our faith.” (v4)
And
God’s Word is also very clear about what that faith should be anchored to:
“Who
is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the
Son of God?” (v5)
Matthew
Henry gives a wonderful explanation of how this should manifest in the life of
a believer.
“Faith
is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armour by
which we overcome. In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in
opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those
sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has
the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the
world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the
life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced
and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and
is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after
Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin.”
The
world looks at an overcomer as one who pulls himself up by his own efforts and
merit. The goal of a worldly overcomer is to be better than others. Such an
overcomer strives to outshine, outmaneuver, and outperform his fellow man. His
focus is on love of self and self-gain, often at the expense of others.
But
what does the spiritual overcomer focus on?
“Everyone
who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who
loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we
love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this
is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not
burdensome.” (v1-3)
God
looks at an overcomer as one who accepts his free gift of love and salvation.
By believing Jesus is the Son of God and yielding to His Spirit, our hearts and
motivations change as well. It is this heart change that makes us overcomers.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our motivation to follow God’s
commandments become love and righteousness. Our faith and obedience become
motivated by genuine love and concern for others.
Do
you desire to be an overcomer? Have faith in Jesus Christ. You can rest in the
knowledge that you have eternal life. You can rest in the finished work of the
cross. You don’t have to strive to outperform and outshine others in order
to gain God’s favor. The battle is a spiritual one. You only have to believe in
Christ, yield to God’s Spirit and extend his love and compassion to others.
Have faith....and God will make you an overcomer!