We've been studying the messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. It is a rich and fascinating study with many parallels for the current church age! Jesus closes each message with the words, "To him that overcometh," or "He that overcometh," and follows with wonderful promises the overcomer will experience or partake of. This begs the question to consider - what is an overcomer? Several years ago, my father was conversing with a young man about Biblical living and what God requires of His people. This young man called himself a Christian, but was having some serious difficulties and my dad was giving him godly counsel. The man wasn't interested in obeying the Word, but told Daddy rather angrily, "I'm an overcomer!" Daddy asked him, "What are you overcoming?" The question brought him up short and he had no answer, because clearly he wasn't overcoming his attitudes and striving spirit. Being an overcomer is definitely more than stating that we are one!
I really like the commentary from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible on Rev. 2:7. "An overcomer is one who, by God's grace received through faith in Christ, has experienced the new birth and remains constant in his victory over sin, the world, and satan. Surrounded by great opposition and apostasy, the overcomer refuses to conform to the world and to any ungodliness within the visible church. He hears and responds to what the Spirit says to the churches, remains faithful to Christ to the very end and accepts only God's standard revealed in Hid holy Word."
People will notice a difference in our lives as we we obey His Word and live to please Him in all things. We will be separate from the world in our attitudes, appearance and general lifestyle. We will live a holy and a pure life! According to the the world, we will walk the path less traveled; but that, my friends, will make all the difference in the end! Thank God through His grace, we can be overcomers and inherit the blessings of the Kingdom!
I really like the commentary from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible on Rev. 2:7. "An overcomer is one who, by God's grace received through faith in Christ, has experienced the new birth and remains constant in his victory over sin, the world, and satan. Surrounded by great opposition and apostasy, the overcomer refuses to conform to the world and to any ungodliness within the visible church. He hears and responds to what the Spirit says to the churches, remains faithful to Christ to the very end and accepts only God's standard revealed in Hid holy Word."
People will notice a difference in our lives as we we obey His Word and live to please Him in all things. We will be separate from the world in our attitudes, appearance and general lifestyle. We will live a holy and a pure life! According to the the world, we will walk the path less traveled; but that, my friends, will make all the difference in the end! Thank God through His grace, we can be overcomers and inherit the blessings of the Kingdom!