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Shall We Overcome?

by Steve Klein

God's children today are living in a time when the inspiring affirmation expressed in the phrase "We shall overcome" has been changed.  It is now in the form of a question--"Shall we overcome?"  Or sometimes it takes the form of a completely negative statement--"We cannot overcome!"  The power of evil is so strong.  There is so much temptation to be faced as we live in the world.  Each day, our human weaknesses become more apparent, as does the hideous strength of Satan our adversary (cf. Ephesians 6:11-12, 1 Peter 5:8).  We turn for strength and assurance to spiritual leaders, only to be told that we "have to" sin.

As in the days of old, when Moses chose "leaders" among the children of Israel to go and spy out the promised land, some have seemingly returned to report that "we are not able" to overcome (Numbers 13:1-3, 31).

All of this is distressing and depressing to sincere  children of God.  If, to quote a favorite football coach of mine, "the fun is in the winning," then (apparently) there is no fun and no joy in being a Christian, for there is no winning.

Helen Keller wrote that "the marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome."  We are painfully aware of our limitations and shortcomings, but the great news of the Bible is that God's children CAN overcome, and that many rewards and great joy will be theirs when they do. In his first epistle, John writes in language which assures us of this truth.  He writes to young men who are strong and in whom the word of God abides and he tells them "you have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2:14). 

John assures us that "whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith" (1 John 5:4).

In chapters two and three of Revelation, we are presented with seven churches; members in each of these churches had something to overcome.  Jesus promised Great rewards if they would do so.  Among other things, the one who overcame would be given "to eat from the tree of life" (2:7), and would "not be hurt by the second death (2:11, cf. 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).

We, as they, can overcome the power of Satan "by the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:11).  We do not have to give in to temptation, for God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are "able" to bear (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13).  If we do give in, we do not have to wallow defeatedly in sin, we may approach our heavenly Father and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ!  "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:1).  

Other Articles by Steve Klein
The Spirit of the Sadducees
Are You Attached?
What to Give the Spiritually Hungry