To be an overcomer is a positive thing, and there are several ways that one can achieve that title. We think of overcomers in the field of sports. One team, which is way behind in score, overcomes the odds and wins the championship. When competing in Olympic-style wrestling, one athlete overcomes the other and wins the medal. In school a student overcomes their struggles in a certain subject and passes the final exam. And men and women overcome their addictions in rehab, and gain victory over drugs or alcohol. There is another overcomer that you and I can be, one which we read about in our Scripture for today.
We read as the Apostle John finishes up his first letter to the Church, on how we, as believers, can be overcomers. First let’s see what he tells us that we are overcoming. We aren’t overcoming some opposing sports team or strong opponent. John tells us twice that we overcome the world. He isn’t referring to the world as meaning nature, such as overcoming wild creatures or acts of nature. John is referring to the world system that is ruled by Satan.
How can you or I become an overcomer? The Apostle John tells us this in our Scripture. First and foremost, an overcomer must be born again and love God (vs. 1). We cannot overcome Satan and his world system without the Lord Jesus Christ, as the unsaved are a part of Satan’s evil world system. When we accept Jesus as Savior, we move out Satan’s kingdom of darkness and into God’s kingdom of light, and can become an overcomer.
Another thing that is necessary to become an overcomer is that one loves God and also loves other Christians. A genuine Christian not only believes in God, but also loves Him and loves his fellow believers. That isn’t always an easy task, as we all know some other Christians who just really irritate us. However, the more closely we follow the Lord, allowing His Holy Spirit to live and work through us, we will develop a love for fellow Christians. We know that we love God if we love those who bear His image.
Another characteristic of a believer, and key to becoming an overcomer, in addition to having saving faith and having love, is obedience to God and His Word (vs. 2-3). Genuine proof of faith in God is love, and genuine proof of love for the Savior is obedience to Him. Having a real relationship to God and being obedient to His commandments are inseparably linked. John tells us that God’s commands are not burdensome. It is not a weary task to obey the Lord. Jesus told us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Only when we try to obey God through our own power do His commandments feel burdensome. When we rely on His Spirit to enable us to do what we can’t, we find great joy in obedience. Works and obedience do not save us, but genuine salvation always results in works and obedience.
The world wants us to believe that it is easier and more desirable to fit in, to be tolerant of sin, to be popular, and strive to be rich. It wants us to feel that God’s commands are burdensome and hateful. But we can’t love God without obeying His commands. The world’s yoke leads to sin and slavery. Jesus’ yoke leads away from sin and into joy.
By believing that God is who He says He is, and we are who He says we are, we overcome the world (vs. 4). To be an overcomer is to conquer, to have victory, to have superiority, and to have conquering power. An overcomer overthrows an enemy so that the victory is seen by all. Those who believe that Jesus is God’s Son are overcomers. We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
In closing God’s Word states that we can be overcomers of the world, Satan’s worldwide system of deception and wickedness. Through Jesus we are a victor over this invisible system. Our victory has already been assured. It was won on the Cross. It was provided for with the shed Blood of the Lamb of God. All who have Jesus as their personal Savior are united with Him, and partake of His victory. We have continued victory over the world. If you haven’t already, turn to Jesus today, accept Him as your Savior, and become an overcomer!
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