Conquer

<<overcome>>

To have conquered there needs to have been a contest or battle with the bounty going to the over-comers, not those who fail. Jesus said, “I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33; Col 2:15). The victory that overcomes the world is our faith in Christ whose mission on earth was to destroy Satan’s work and his malicious hold on our lives (1 Jn 3:8, 5:4).

The greatest battlefield for each individual lies within – in our minds. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Victory can only be gained as we co-operate with God and allow His word to transform our thoughts which in turn results in transformed actions (Rom 12:1,2; 2 Cor 10:4,5). Do I have the motivation and courage to team up with Christ and be a conqueror (Rom 8:37)?

As we live in Christ, we also will live victoriously as we use the armour and weapons He has provided for us. It is only through Christ we can gain and maintain the victory, not by our own merits or ability (1 Cor 15:57). Satan obviously is not pleased when we move closer into God and His purposes

Christ conquered Satan on our behalf – live like you believe it

for us, so he goes about as a roaring lion seeking to regain his lost territory in people (1 Pet 5:8). We are to be aware of his schemes and avoid the temptations by which he would try to ensnare us again (2 Cor 2:11; Gal 5:1; Eph 6:11). Although Satan is a powerful enemy ready to accuse us before God, he has been defeated by the work of Christ on the cross (Col 2:15; Rev 12:10). This victory Christ died to provide is not automatic; not only do we need to be on Christ’s team but also do our part, putting in the effort to ‘fight’ the enemy being “strong in the Lord and the power of His might” whereby we can resist the devil and his temptations (Eph 6:10-18; Jas 4:7,8; Rev 12:11). Those who remain loyal to Christ will be conquers and inherit eternal life, while those who are cowards and turn back from following Christ, along with all these who do not know Him will be doomed to hell (Rev 21:7,8). It is an insult to Christ if we are not walking in increasing victory. “The one who is in you [the Holy Spirit] is greater than the one [Satan] who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Don’t dwell on sin’s power but reckon yourself dead to its claim or influence over you and see yourself alive to God, walking in victory (Rom 6:11).

Jesus Christ triumphed over death through His resurrection. Although He died and rose again on the third day, He will never to die again (Rev 1:18). He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (Jn 11:25,26). Because of our inherent sin nature all mankind is under the curse of death (Gen 2:17; Rom 6:23). Yet as Jesus lived without sin it had no hold on Him, even though He took the penalty for our sin and laid His life down for us (Jn 10:17,18; Act 2:24; 1 Pet 2:22).