In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
There is no overcoming without the Overcomer. The natural man has no hope of overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil in his own strength. Victory is beyond his reach, leaving him a mere victim. Only the supernatural man, who has been raised from death to life by the Spirit of God, has the power to be a victor. And that victory is won by the one true Overcomer, He who has made a way for His people to be overcomers too.
When Jesus said He had overcome the world (John 16:33), He was telling us that He could not be derailed by the world’s popularity, discouraged by its personality, or defeated by its power. The omnipotent Overcomer overcame everything the world sent against Him, and we can do the same . . . if we will live according to His plan and in alignment to His will.
Titus explained it this way:
The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
It is only by grace through faith that we will be able to become the overcomers Jesus has called us to be. Only the grace of God causes us to say “NO” to the world and “YES” to the Word. And the more we say “YES” to the Word, the more we live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. We must remember that the world came after our Lord, and when the world could not control or contain Him, the world crucified Him. But crucifixion was God’s predetermined means for accomplishing His final end of overcoming when Jesus Christ walked out of His grave three days later. The Resurrection is proof positive that Jesus overcame every obstacle the world set in His path—including the last enemy, death—and He has promised His followers that we too shall overcome every obstacle, including death.
Now, that certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t experience difficulty, loss, and heartache in this lifetime. Jesus assured us that we will. But for those who are in Christ, He has granted them the ultimate victory. We will overcome!
- We may suffer financial loss . . . but He has promised to meet our every need (Philippians 4:19).
- We may be stricken with disease . . . but He has promised that we will live without pain forever (Revelation 21:4).
- We may be weighed down by our sin . . . but He has promised that if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9).
- We may be grieving lost loved ones . . . but He has promised that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
- We may be facing death . . . but He has promised that the moment we close our eyes on this earth, we will live forever with Him in Paradise (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Have you been struggling to overcome some kind of obstacle that has been set before you? Perhaps you have forgotten that your Overcomer has made a way for you to overcome through Him. But please remember that you will only overcome in the strength of your Lord, not your own. You must cling to and call on the name of the One who has overcome all things, and then you will know from personal experience that “no weapon formed against you shall prevail” (Isaiah 54:17). Your Overcomer has made you an overcomer too!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 