Overcomer Vs Overcoming
In 1 John 5 it states we are overcomers in Christ Jesus. Anyone who has received Christ as their Lord and Savior are overcomers. Why in 1 John 5 it says we have overcome and then the same author in Revelations says to him who overcomes? Revelations 2:7 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes…. Also, Revelations 2:17, 26. 3:5, 12
In one hand we have overcome and the other hand we need to overcome. How do we put this together? What does it mean? John was writing to the 7 churches and congregation in Revelations. He is saying to the church and congregation that they are overcomers, while individually, they must overcome.
So, this means it is possible to be in the church and in
the congregation and not be an overcomer. Everyone who has come to Christ is an
overcomer, but not every believer in Christ has overcome.
If sin or circumstances are holding you hostage, then you need to be an overcomer. Being an overcomer is your legal status, your position. Christ made every believer an overcomer legally, but that does not mean that is what you are experiences personally. If you are defeated and Christian that doesn’t make you unchristian that makes you a defeated Christian. The Goal here is to make your legal status your experiential reality.
In others word, you have overcome spiritually, and legally because you came to Christ, but you have not overcome in terms of it working out in your life. In fact, the reason we need to overcome something means there is something to overcome. Overcome means to overrule a sin or a set of circumstances that control your life.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1: 1-20) John describes Jesus to us.
In Verse 17 it says - When I saw him, I fell at his feet as
though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I
am the First and the Last.
If we as believers in Christ are to be overcomers, in
practice not principle, we have to see Jesus as John saw Jesus. Not meek and
mild, not Jesus in a manger, but Jesus on FIRE. The one who spoke like a
rushing of many waters, like a burning furnace. Too many believers still see
Christ as though he’s still on the cross. Christ has risen and seated at the
right hand of the father and We as believers are seated right there with him in
the heavenly realm. This shows our connecting with the Risen Christ. Paul
states in Romans 5: 8 While we were yet sinners God demonstrated his love for
us… and then in verse 10 says we are saved and delivered by HIS life. We MUST
look at Christ and relate to Christ as the Risen KING. Jesus Christ is King of
Kings and Lord of Lords.
When Jesus died on the cross, the bible says he disarmed
the rulers of this present age and took away the authority, so now the only way
Satan can defeat us is by deception, where is feel like reality, looks like
reality and seems like reality. That’s why in Roman 8:37 it says we are more
than conquerors in him who loved us and gave himself for us. John 16:33 you
shall have peace because I have overcome the world.
God places victory in your reach, not in your hand, so
if you want to overcome, to prevail against Satan and his rulers, you need to identify
with Christ. The cross to many was just an historical event, but we must
overcome by the blood of the lamb in the present, continuing to work it out in
our lives.
That’s why is Galatians 2:20
Paul said “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
In other words, Paul says, if
you look at my life now, I am controlled by the cross. It
is the works of what Christ did 2000 yrs. ago that affects our decision making
in the present.
Lastly, the words of our testimony. Jesus said if we deny
him before man, he will deny us before the father.
Comments