“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, NKJV).
I welcome you to the 8th month of the year of Onward Christian Soldiers walking in Landmark miracles and opportunities. The number eight signifies a new beginning. I decree that it is a new beginning of power, relevance, impact, and forward movement for you and yours, in Jesus’ mighty Name.
Any sportsman will really enjoy Paul’s writings since he used athletic analogies in many of his letters (1 Corinthians 9:25-26; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). Hebrews 12:1 particularly describes the Christian life as a race. Moreover, the race is like a 26-mile marathon, which requires one not only to run but also to run a tactical race with endurance. There will be bumps, bruises, disappointments, and challenges along the way. However, the pain of these struggles becomes more than worth it when the prize is awarded.
One day, Jesus is going to hand out the rewards to His overcomers. Those who have weathered the storms of life, overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, and crossed the finish line victoriously. Their desires, discipline, and determination will be applauded by the Master Himself, with the heavenly host singing. It is in a Christian’s DNA to overcome (1 John 5:4-5, 4:4). That is why it is important to clarify that a Christian is defined as a person whose sins are washed away by Jesus’ blood, who has received the gift of eternal life, and has a personal relationship with Jesus by faith.
Sadly, not all professing Christians overcome, even though we all have the same Coach and access to the same uniform spiritual and Biblical rules. So, despite God having made us overcomers, sanctification is expensive, even though salvation is free. Everyone who professes to be a Christian must be willing to pay the price to win the prize. To do that, we must stay in the race to reach the finish line. Say “No” to the spirit of Gehazi, the king’s meat, and Delilah’s enticement.
You see, the seven churches of Asia all had at one time embraced the truth, lived the truth, and shared the truth of the gospel message. The ancient landmark was not removed (Proverbs 22:28). There was adherence to the foundations of salvation, sanctification, baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, evangelism, obedience to authority in the church, and the secular. They were in the world but not of it; they lived as pilgrims “looking for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
Over time, though, false doctrines of that time began to creep into these churches, slowly but surely destroying them. Many of them kept the appearance of godliness, but their hearts were no longer in the Truth, and they denied the power thereof. What God saw, for the most part, disgusted Him. Through the vision that He gave John, God rebuked all churches except the churches of Smyrna (the persecuted church) and Philadelphia (the faithful church). What really caught my attention was this: There were five churches out of seven that were not ready to meet Jesus; only 28.6% were ready. Today, we know that Christ’s return is imminent, but I do not know how many of us are prepared to meet Him.
The Reward of Overcomers
From the book of Revelations, we have the following assurances from God to him who overcomes:
- He will be given to eat of the tree of life (Revelation 2:7).
- He shall not be hurt of the second death (Revelation 2:11).
- He will be given to eat of the hidden manna and given a white stone on which the recipient’s new name will be written. The new name will be known only to the LORD and the receiving overcomer (Revelation 2:17).
- He will be given power over the nations if he additionally keeps Christ’s works until the end (Revelation 2:26).
- He will be clothed in white raiment, and his name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Rather, Christ will confess the overcomer’s name before His Father and His angels (Revelation 3:5).
- He will be made a pillar in the temple of God from which he will never leave. On him will be written the name of God, the name of the city of God (new Jerusalem) and a new name (Revelation 3:12).
- He will be granted to sit with Christ on His throne even as He overcame and is set down with His Father in His throne (Revelation 3:21).
Revelations 21:7 (NKJV) says, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” The message is simple – repent and live a life that overcomes the world. If you do that, you will inherit all things and get to eat of the tree of life, which is amid the Paradise of God.
5 Key Principles That Help Us Finish Victoriously
Even though each of the 7 churches in the Book of Revelations had different problems, any one of their sins would forever separate them from God. Thus, the admonishments the Holy Spirit gave them, which we should also heed, are:
- Stay devoted to Christ (Revelation 2:4). Do not love the world (1 John 2:15-17).
- Do not compromise your belief (Revelation 2:13,15). Take a stand and maintain it. Do not negotiate with or make concessions to the world around you. Abstain from spiritual adultery.
- Remain holy (Revelation 2:23). Follow peace with all men and do not leave room for the root of bitterness in your life (Hebrews 12:14-15). Instead of striving with others, be gentle, teachable, and patient (2 Timothy 2:24).
- Be committed (Revelation 3:15-16). Avoid lukewarmness. The uncommitted life is not worth living. Take a page out of Ruth’s life (Ruth 1:16).
- Live one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). You have no control over the past nor the future; the only guarantee is right now, which is why it is God’s present to you. The only way to build your character and a godly legacy is to make decisions today that you will not be ashamed of tomorrow.
Conclusion
The church has too many crowd pleasers already. What we need is a group of mature believers who are content to play to an audience of One like Stephen did (Acts 7:1-60). For him, the LORD Jesus, Who seats at the right hand of the Father, stood up. Is the LORD Jesus compelled to stand as you serve in your local church, or as you profess your faith? Only He knows if your sacrifice is genuine or done with the ulterior motive of receiving the praises of men. Please do not let the world’s applause divert your gaze from Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). Stay focused in this Christian race until the finish line.
Prayer Points
- Thank the LORD Jesus for making you an overcomer.
- LORD Jesus, keep me true to You and Your Word in this race that I am running in Jesus’ name.
- Doors of pleasant riches of life that are locked against my ancestors, open wide unto me as from today in Jesus’ name.
- The yoke of closed doors upon any area of my life, break and release me now by fire in Jesus’ name.
- Divine fire from heaven engulfs me as from today so I can live an Overcomers life in Jesus’ name
- Oh God, make me a solution and an answer to the problems of my world as of today in Jesus’ name
- Song: I live for Jesus, day after day; I live for Jesus, let come what may. The Holy Spirit I will obey; I live for Jesus, day after day.
