We Shall Overcome
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1 John 5:4,5 NIV
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
I don’t know exactly why, but as I read these verses this morning I thought of a cheer at a pep rally. Probably because of the repetition of the word overcome, I felt as if I were uplifted and ready to cheer this morning. Overcome:
to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat: to overcome the enemy; to surmount opposition; be victorious; to overpower, as with emotion; affect deeply.
So in Christ we overcome the world. Because of Christ we overcome the world. Through Christ we overcome the world. In Christ we get the better of our human tendency toward sin. Because of Christ we are victorious in our struggle. In Christ we overpower evil with good. I guess that is worth cheering about!
Each of us has the ability, through Christ, to live in the world without being overcome by it. Too often, though, we choose not to enter into the struggle between this world and the world God has prepared for us at the end of time. We feel too powerless, ineffectual, weak and small to be victorious. That is because we forget to rely upon Jesus and His power, His strength, His victory, won for us on the Cross. On our own we are powerless. When we turn the struggle over to Jesus, we solicit the help of a mighty force, capable of winning the battle for our souls.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:5]
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [John 16:33]
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:21]
Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. [1 John 4:4]
We have reason to cheer indeed when we realize that we have within us the very breath of God, manifested in the Holy Spirit, given to us by Jesus. We are not alone in the struggle for life in this world. We are part of a mighty army of warriors fueled by faith, empowered by faith, victorious through faith in the one true living God and His Son, Jesus.
My prayer today is that you step out of the darkness of your human weakness and frailty. And that you overcome the sin in your life through, in, and because of Jesus.
Mary
