p. 6 | OVERCOMERS by Cyrus Simmons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 24, 1900

OVERCOMERS.

By Cyrus Simmons

THE mastery of self is the object of a Christian life. "He that ruleth his spirit [is better] than he that taketh a city." Prov. 16:32. When we are out of Christ we are out of balance. Only the power of God in us can establish a moral equipoise. Freedom from impure thoughts, from imperfect characters, from unrighteous acts, is what the Gospel promises. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17.

Many are as veritably in bondage as the Israelites were when under Pharaoh. If their moral depravity is not recognized, "they willingly are ignorant" (2 Peter 3:5) of the master they serve, and, evidently, take "pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:12).

The same unwillingness was manifested by the Jews when Christ told them that "the truth shall make you free." They indignantly answered, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man; how sayest Thou, Ye shall be made free?" John 8:32, 33.

To be an overcomer we must first see the necessity of overcoming. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood." Eph. 6:12. Therefore, the chances of self-deception are great. It is easy to see others' imperfections; but it is difficult to impartially look within ourselves and become conscious of our own. Our individual hearts are the battle-fields whereon are fought the controversies between Christ and Satan. The record of each day's conflict is one of victory or of vanquishment.

How to Overcome.

We should understand our enemy before we can be able to recognize his deception, and to know how to overcome. He appears to us protean shaped. He can impersonate different characters (1 Sam. 28:11-16), and assume various forms (Gen. 3:1-5). He is the greatest actor that ever played upon the stage of this fallen world. "He is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44. He and his exiled associates endeavor to act a lie in such a way that it will have the appearance of truth. "As the ministers of righteousness" they come. 2 Cor. 11:15.

Our adversaries are not deluded mortals, disguised under a holy mask, advocating that which is contrary to the teachings of God; but they are the "wicked spirits" that have taken possession of these individuals. For these erring ones we should pray; the spirits that actuate and deceive them we should be able to rebuke with the Word of God. Acts 16:16-18. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood," but against "wicked spirits in heavenly places." Eph. 6:12, margin.

The adversary, also, can have access to your heart and to mine. We can say with Paul, "We are not ignorant of his devices." Against deception we are warned. Satan would make us believe that wrong is right. For our weaknesses he apologizes; for our defects of character he makes excuses, and, thereby, tries to lower the standard of righteousness. There is only one that has overcome the world, and that one is Christ. We have no other refuge but in Him. It will not do to underestimate the foe with which we come in daily contact. We can not meet this enemy alone. We must "put on the whole armor of God, that ye [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Eph. 6:11. That armor capapie, from head to foot, is Christ. "They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." Rev. 12:11. The blood is the life—God's life. The Word of God is life. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.

We overcome, then, by the Word of God, through faith. Christ gave us the example in His temptation in the wilderness. To every perverted quotation of the Scripture that Satan made, Christ answered, "It is written," and rightly applied the Word of God.

When to Overcome.

Our victories are necessary as long as temptation lasts. Therefore, they should be ever present. It is not safe to rely upon past conquests. We need to be converted every day. Paul says, "I die daily," or day by day. To the Galatians he says, "I am crucified with Christ." Gal. 2:20. We are enjoined to take up our cross daily. "To him that overcometh"—the other form of the verb is overcomes. The tense is present; the victory is active and continual.

The Reward.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne." Rev. 3:21. "Unto our God kings and priests." Rev. 5:10. Overcomers are "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:17. "Heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3:29. Heirs of what?—The new earth. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13. "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5. The multimillionaires, "who have heaped treasures together for the last days" (James 5:1-3), are paupers when compared with the rich inheritance of an humble child of God.

CYRUS SIMMONS.