THE OVERCOMER'S REWARD by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1862

THE OVERCOMER'S REWARD.

By A. S. Hutchins

“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” The greatest possible inducements are held out before us to encourage us in the important work of overcoming. “Exceeding great and precious promises” are made to him who shall finally have obtained the victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

But faith in these promises and in the willingness of God to help us in obtaining victory, must be kept in lively exercise, or

we grow weary and faint in the heavenly race, and lose the glorious reward of immortality and eternal life.

Said the compassionate Redeemer, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John xvi, 33. The life of toil, anxiety, and suffering of the dear Son of God, with the heavy load of sin that he bore for the world in the garden, and his dying agonies upon the cross, enable him to sympathize with every tempted, tried, and suffering saint.

“For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. iv, 15, 16. Let our hearts then be encouraged to press on in the way of life, as we reflect upon the unparalleled mercy and love of Jesus toward us, of his sympathy for us, and matchless power to save all that come unto him.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John ii, 15, 16.

Through the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, the woman was deceived. She yielded to the suggestions of Satan, and partook of the forbidden fruit. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.” Gen. iii, 6. Here disobedience to God commenced. Here man rose in rebellion to his Maker. Here the ruinous fall mars the whole works of creation, and man sinks under condemnation, and the sentence of death. “The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” “But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God can be just, and the justifier of him that believeth. The Lamb of God appeared in due time to take away the sin of the world. As he entered upon his ministry, Satan met him while in a hungering, suffering condition, with the same kind of temptation with which he beguiled and overthrew Eve, scattering misery and death everywhere. His satanic hatred to God and to the happiness of man, filled his revengeful heart with the deepest anxiety to hear the hungering Son of God command the stones to be made bread, or to see him cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, or that he might fall down at his feet and worship him, that the plan of salvation might prove a total failure.

But each of these foul flatteries and artful temptations, is met with the word of God, “It is written,” &c. The Saviour of lost man is victorious. “Then the Devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and ministered unto him.” Matt. iv, 11. “For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.”

“To him,” says he, “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.” All heaven is interested in our overcoming. The Father, the Son, and holy angels beckon us away from this blighted, groaning earth, to unpeakable joy and endless bliss. The Spirit and the bride say come. The promise to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, and of the hidden manna, and of receiving the palm, the robe, and the crown of life, shine forth in the word of God, to the overcomer. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son. Rev. xxi, 7.

Ye poor, sorrowing, weary, wayworn pilgrims, bound to mount Zion, look up, and take fresh courage! Jesus, the blessed Saviour, will quickly come to take his people home. The warfare of life will soon cease, and the victor's song will be sung. Immortality and eternal life are about to be given. Faith will be lost in sight and prayer in praise. O blessed be the Lord forever and ever. Amen.

“Then on let us press, for Jesus is near, And strengthen each other with words of good cheer; With zeal ever buoyant and courage ne'er slack, Let's be true to our King and never draw back.” A. S. HITCHINS.