HOW ESSENTIAL IS OVERCOMING?

What is "overcoming," or being an "overcomer?"--and is it an essentiality for the person "in Christ?" Overcoming postulates, or assumes, conflict--fierce conflict. The child of God is, in fact, in a hostile world. We are solemnly apprized, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world" (1 John 2:16 NASB). In its totality, "the world" constitutes all that is temporal, and is not to be the focus of our attention. Scripture puts it this way. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18, NASB). That is overcoming! If what is above us does not govern us, what is around us will! Overcoming has to do with being dominated by "things above" (Col 3:1-3). It is maintaining our grasp of the Lord Jesus by faith. With great subtlety Satan is attempting to drive a wedge between you and Christ Jesus. Overcoming is the result of you frustrating him in that diabolical effort. As it is written, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5, NASB). Only the overcomer will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, or "ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:17). It is imperative that you take whatever measures are necessary to keep the faith, resist the devil, and remain in fellowship with Christ (1 Tim 6:12; James 4:7; 1 Cor 1:9). We are not in heaven yet, but we will be--if we overcome (Rev 2:7,11,17,2; 3:5,12,21; 21:7)! PRAYER POINT: Father, at all cost, I want to be where Jesus is. I long for the time when You Yourself will be with us, and we will never again experience conflict. Until that time, I ask for grace to be a consistent overcome--one in which You take great delight.

-- MONDAY: WHERE WE ARE COME --