Yesterday, we made two observations. (1) The term, "overcomer," that is used in the book of Revelation is simply another title for a "true Christian." (2) The overcomer is willing to die for his faith. He loves the Lord more than life itself and overcomes by thwarting others' attempts to compromise that love. This seems clear enough. But we have to ask, "Is someone who fails to 'overcome' because he denies the Lord not a 'true Christian?'" Our notion of what constitutes a "normal believer" doesn't seem to include this courage that thunders, "Die before deny!" Isn't the whole martyr gig for the Stephen's of the world, and surely not the stuff of ordinary Joes for Jesus?
It is common in today's church to encourage people to pray a "sinner's prayer." It's a good idea! But the simplicity of this moment has potential to reinforce a really bad idea, "Insurance Policy Salvation." When a man says, "Yea, I prayed 'the prayer' a long time ago so I'm good with the man upstairs," it is appropriate to ask if that prayer was about getting fire insurance or the day a fire for God got started! A man can receive salvation in such a moment of prayer, but if he truly has been saved, we ought to be able to see some changes. James would say that faith without works is dead. Faith without change is lifeless faith. Living faith changes a man.
The true state of a man's faith is not always obvious. True, the Lord knows those who are His. But, we can be fooled. Even an apostle like John admits to being taken in, for a time, by some pretenders: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). There were some in the congregation who gave the appearance of being the real thing. But only when they bailed from the fellowship to pursue an agenda of opposing Christ were their true colors revealed. Perhaps these pretenders "prayed the prayer," but they demonstrated the falseness of that prayer by their actions.
The overcomer is the real deal. Striking evidence is provided by his willingness to be steadfast when following Christ is accomplished by carrying a cross. True believers are willing to die for Jesus. I don't hear this principle talked about much in our pulpits. Not a good sign! It ought to be preached - because it conveys something profoundly encouraging. A marketing slogan queries, "Is it in you?" For the true believer, the answer is a resounding "yes," and we're not talking about sugar water. When someone genuinely surrenders to Christ, he receives the capacity to stand for Christ despite the cost. If you know Jesus, then the capacity to "overcome" is in you. You can do this!
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