The Overcomer's Reward.
By M. M. Andrews
THERE are a great many promises held out in the word of God to encourage and strengthen those who are striving to overcome. Christ is our pattern. He has overcome. He came into the world and took upon him our natures, and was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin; and he knows how to succor those that are tempted. How consoling this is to the tried and tempted ones. Truly, we have a warfare before us, and we should not be entangled with the things of the world, but put on the whole armor of God. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We may expect a hard contest with the powers of darkness, but we are able to come off more than conquerors through Christ who hath loved us and given himself for us. Our Saviour has promised, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” There is a great work before us in order that we may be without guile in our mouths, and without fault at the appearing of Jesus; but let us rely on Him that is mighty to save, and in his strength press forward. Those who overcome will not be hurt of the second death, will be clothed in white raiment, and their names registered in the Lamb’s book of life, and confessed before our Heavenly Father and his angels. What an exalted privilege to be made pillars in the temple of God, to have written upon us the name of God, the city of God, and the new name our Saviour shall be pleased to write. But who is worthy of these things? Not I, surely. But I will strive to learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart, and through his worthiness be numbered with those “who have overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.” How encouraging is this promise to those who are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” What a blessed privilege to inherit the new earth, the New Jerusalem, where there will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain nor death. May both reader and writer have the overcomer’s reward at Christ’s appearing.