p. 5 | THE OVERCOMER by Elder J. P. Henderson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 54.

THE OVERCOMER.

By Elder J. P. Henderson

BY ELDER J. P. HENDERSON.

THE promises of the Bible are "to him that overcometh." We do not infer that this implies a correct outward deportment or simply a victory obtained over certain faults that may have inconvenienced us in life, but it must pertain to the formation of character, the putting away of sins that so easily beset us, and that render the heart so imperfect before God. There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. Those who compose the one class yield to God, study the Saviour's life, and earnestly desire to correct their defects and to conform to the Pattern, while those who make up the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. They hate the advocate of purity in heart, and are content with an outward show of piety.

Character building is the constant work of the overcomer. God designs this life to be one of discipline. Even our wants are to be supplied by personal labor, forethought, care, and faith. This is laborious and wearisome, but it is just what is needed to help keep out evil. It is the school which God has provided for the training and development of our character.

Economy and self-denial form a part of the education which God designs his children shall receive. And thus it is that in the days of our prosperity we find the sudden reverse of fortune, and in the time of our ease we are stricken with affliction. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb. 12:6. To

overcome we should begin at the secret intents and purposes of the heart, for this is the foundation in our life where God begins his workings in us. We are to be “perfect even as he is perfect.” He only will dwell in God’s temple who “walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” Ps. 15:1, 2. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8.

The heart is spoken of as including the faculty of thought, and as thought is the essence of life, the source from which all words and actions flow, there can be no condition so much to be desired as a heart from which continually flow thoughts that are pure in the sight of Heaven. A person whose heart is pure will have no difficulty in overcoming; character building will attain its growth of perfection as naturally as the grain matures in the field before the summer’s sun.

To begin the work of overcoming, therefore, we have but to search the fountain of thought, the heart, “for out of it are the issues of life.” “How can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19)—and we might add “hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; . . . they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. 5:20, 21.

Renouncing these things, we are to “put on,” “as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Col. 3:12–14.

As all this requires a sacrifice and involves a daily cross, many refuse to yield themselves up to the work of overcoming, and thus reject light from heaven. True humility and faith alone can render our service acceptable with God. He has not left us alone in this terrible battle with sin. The victory is gained in him. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13.

The yielding of self into the hands of God is the first step of the overcomer, a complete submission to his will, and constant study to know what duties are to be performed, that we may sin not, and a keeping of the heart pure, out of which come the issues of life.

The governing power in the nature of man is the force of the will. Everything depends on the right action of our will power. This choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart; you cannot of yourself overcome and even give to God your affections, but you can choose to serve him. You can give him your will. He will then work in you to do according to his good pleasure. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to him you will be enabled to live the new life.—Steps to Christ, pp. 48, 49.

Thus yielding, believing, and doing, we shall share the promises that are made “to him that overcometh.”

Nevada, Iowa.