The Conquering Christian
Today’s Verse:
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. ~1 John 4:4
One of the most successful companies in the athletic shoe and clothing business is Nike. They have had a great marketing strategy of signing up the most talented athletes to endorse and help brand their merchandise. The Nike stores are very innovative and enticing in drawing loyal customers to their products. The very name “Nike” is from the Greek word “Nikao,” which means “conqueror” or “overcomer.” John makes an undisputed statement by stating that, as Christians, we have “overcome them.” Let us see this morning the dominance of “the conquering Christian.”
We see a faithful admonition.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” John gives a strong word of caution and warning. Satan is an angel of light who has his company of false teachers subtly working at infiltrating churches and seeking to corrupt and deceive Christians and non-Christians alike to believe that there is “another gospel” or “another Christ” they should believe. The warning for us is to know our Bible doctrine and to not believe everything we hear, but rather test it to the Word of God.
We see a fundamental acknowledgement.
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” The acid test is all about what a person or religion believes about the Lord Jesus Christ. The only acceptable belief is that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, but still 100% God and 100% Man. As God, He is all-holy, and as Man, He is eternal and without sin. If Jesus Christ is not confessed as the sinless Son of God Who died for the sins of the world and rose again from the dead, then that person rejects His deity and the fact that He is God and Saviour. The spirit of the antichrist is a spirit of fraudulent deception. There is a not another Christ to be considered. There is not a Christ who was not God. There is a not a Christ who did not die for the sins of the entire world. The fundamental acknowledgement is that we believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
We see a favorable advantage.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Our advantage is that we are God’s purchased possession. He bought us with His own shed blood. The moment we are saved, we are brought into a relationship of complete victory. We are conquerors through our Lord Jesus. Our conquering ability is based on the privilege of Christ’s indwelling presence in our life. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Jesus is greater than Satan! Jesus is greater than the cults! Jesus is greater than our fears! Jesus is greater than our anxieties. Jesus is greater than our past failures. Jesus is greater than our weaknesses! We tend to equate greatness based on our assets, size, gifts, and people network as compared to our competition. However, we are conquerors through Jesus Christ! There is no competition to Christ! There is no comparison to Christ. He always is and always will be undefeated. Without reservation, Jesus Christ is greater.
Stop living in defeat, discouragement, sadness, sin, and a negative view of yourself. You are a conquering Christian because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!
Have an overcoming God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 108-114