Overcoming

SAYS the blessed Saviour: "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. It is the privilege of the disciple of Jesus to feel an assurance from day to day that he is overcoming; that he is gaining victory over the devices and power of Satan; over the allurements and temptations of the world; and over the evil traits of his own nature, and the secret sins of his heart. The deep and earnest cry from the soul, fixed to overcome and gain the victor's reward, will ever be, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults," as well as, "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins."

To overcome in all things, and be numbered with the conquerors at last, is no small thing. The heart must be watched with a godly jealousy. It must be kept with "all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." The treasure of the heart is good or bad. Good or evil things proceed therefrom. Now to have the heart in that condition that its issues will be good, and tend to life, it must be guarded with constant care.

"Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." If we live in obedience to God, the blood of Christ is adequate to cleanse us from the dark stain of every sin.

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Oh! the unspeakable privilege of being cleansed from all sin; of being made white, free, and pure; of being made ready to meet the Lord when he cometh.

This preparation of heart will only be attained unto by overcoming everything unholy, impure, and wrong in the sight of God. The remnant church will attain unto this eminent state of piety and happiness, by keeping the "commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." And when the final victory is gained it is said of them: "And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God."

Priceless treasure! Inestimable blessing! to be "without fault before the throne of God;" before him who "searcheth all hearts." Shall not this one thought inspire us cheerfully to suffer and toil on in the work of overcoming? Yea, is it not sufficient to make up for all our tears and trials? But, dear saint, dear brother, this is not your reward. No; listen to the Master's promise to the overcomer: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Rev. 21:7.