Overcomer

My last post I talked about struggling with not being caught up with what the world communicates is important. This week, I heard a devotional that mentioned a reward we will receive for being an overcomer. Revelations 3:12 tells us “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” NASB version reads “He who overcomes”. When I heard the word overcomes, it immediately brought to mind that struggle I mentioned. It was exciting to be reminded that I will be rewarded for preserving through my struggles. What a reward. Being a pillar in God’s temple and never having to leave. Worshipping Him always. And Jesus writing His name upon us. Did your mom ever write your name in your clothes when you were little so you and everyone else would know who it belonged to? That’s what this verse reminds me of. Everyone will know who we belong to.

I am constantly striving to overcome the pull of the world. And when I am successful, What else will I receive? Rev. 3:5, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My father, and before His angels.” Now is that not worth more than all the treasures we could acquire on earth? To have our name acknowledged before God and his angels? Not only will Jesus write His name on us, He will also proclaim it to God and His angels, “This one belongs to me!”

So how do we overcome the world? 1 John 5:4-5 tells us. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Pursuing Jesus. That’s how we overcome.

John 16:33. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”. As I told someone the other day, I am thankful for the blessings in the hard times. Peace when others would see no reason for peace. Blessings in the hard times.

Now that is something to shout about and celebrate this holiday season.