He Who Overcomes?

wise seeker · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 9:20 pm Post subject: He Who Overcomes?

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

We all know to stay away from a rattler or cobra lest he strike us with his poisonous venom? But very few have the sense to keep away from more dangerous predators such as bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking. The word of God tells that we can fall short of the grace of God if we let any root of bitterness spring up in us causing trouble and by this many become defiled. God’s word is unchanging:

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Hebrews 12:14-17

Yes, we are to make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy for without holiness no one will see the Lord even if they believe in the doctrine of demons of once saved always saved! Yes, we are to watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing--but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. The amplified bible is quite clear on this whole matter:

Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it-- That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears. Hebrews 12:14-17

Jesus Christ expects us to be responsible and to overcome all things just like He overcame all things by the power of the Spirit and sat down at the right hand of the Father. If this wasn’t possible He would not demand it off us for God’s word is unchanging:

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' Revelation 2:7

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." ' Revelation 2:11

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." ' Revelation 2:17

"And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations- Revelation 2:26

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5