From Struggler to Overcomer

Yesterday, I shared with you from a struggler's perspective. Today, allow me to speak from my position as an overcomer.

Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

If we are not careful as believers we can lose focus about the position we have in Christ. We are to be honest about our struggles. We should be willing to come clean about our failures. However, we should not be allowed to live in an attitude of defeat. God's Word teaches us plainly that we are able to overcome temptation, trials, etc. and that we are more than conquerors (super-victors) through Jesus Christ.

May we never forget that God has said that "greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world." There is nothing and nobody in this life that is able to separate us from the love of Christ. Therefore, if we cannot be separated from God's love and He has already proclaimed us victorious we have absolutely no reason to "stay" bound in our vices.

When I led the Recovery Ministry of our church, I was reminded to always identify myself according to my position in Christ: "My name is Neal and I am a believer who struggles with..." Don't allow yourself to be identified in life as an alcoholic, drug addict, depression sufferer, addict to pornography! Always recognize who you are in Christ and the focus then becomes all about Jesus and less about you.

Folks, in and of ourselves we could never overcome addictions and temptations. But in Christ all things are possible. If we could do it on our own then we would have done it a long time ago. If we could change our attitudes, change the way we speak to people, change our behavior patterns, or change our actions - who in their right mind would continue being bitter, hateful, or sinful? None of us would. Only through God's power can we ever hope to see true change. The good news in all of this is that God is able...and through Him we all are able to be overcomers.

I told you yesterday that I'm a fellow struggler...which is true...but according to God's Word I am "more than a conqueror." In other words - I HAVE THE VICTORY! When I was a kid there was a cartoon that came on called He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. He-Man was a larger than life figure with super strength and ability. However, if you know the story, then you know that He-Man had an alter ego Prince Adam. Adam was weak. Adam was timid. Adam was youthful and inexperienced. Only through the power of Grayskull (mystical/magical force) was he able to become He-Man. In our own strength we are no more than He-Man or She-Ra. It's when we are empowered by God's Spirit that we are able to be masters of our own universe. If you are a believer in Jesus say it with me: "I HAVE THE POWER!"

Remember these words as you go from being a struggler to an overcomer: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zech. 3:6.

May the Lord continue to strengthen you and give you the victory.