I Have Overcome the World

“I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil” John 17:15
Our Lord Jesus Christ, prayed for His disciples, asking His father to keep them from the evil deeds of the devil. The devil’s desire was, and still is, to see mankind continue sinning. But Jesus’ desire for mankind is to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Although Jesus was to leave His disciples as a flock without a shepherd in the world, He knew that they were to be in harmony with Him as long as they were to discard sin from their hearts. Sin, brethren, is like a terrible disease which renders the invalid a social misfit. It deprives a person of mental and physical strength and also can bring agony.

One Sabbath after church services we, as friends and close relatives, went to see the condition of a lady who was 47 years of age. This lady had been suffering for a year in bed because of an unknown disease. She felt helpless and all her money and possessions had been spent buying the medicine prescribed to cure her rotten womb! Her children never slept. Day and night they took care of her. I remember her saying “It would be better if I die rather than suffer this kind of pain.”

She was in a desperate situation, without food for her children, and without her comforter – her husband. He had died 10 years earlier. She had lost almost everything in her efforts to regain her health, but it all seemed to be in vain. The only hope we left with her was “The hope of Glory” Colossians 1:27 “Who is the first born from the dead” verse 17 “In whom we have redemption through His blood.” Verse 14.

Diseases and calamities in the world originated in the Garden of Eden. The entrance of sin has brought us incurable diseases, hunger, war and strife, terrorism and many other disasters.

Powerful countries have used powerful weapons to fight terrorism, but is there any hope of clearing it all? They have spent large amounts of money also to fight poverty and AIDS in the developing countries but will they succeed? Will money free us from the disease of sin?

Sin is the origin of all problems we have faced. There is a curse of sin on earth. If we put away sin from our hearts Jesus has promised; though we pass through the seas and fire we shall never be consumed for “What will it matter though we toil and suffer here, if we may only attain the resurrection of life! We will patiently wait till our time of trial ends and then we shall raise the glad shout of victory.” Life Sketches pg 266

“I may fall at my post before the Lord shall come; but when all that are in their graves shall come forth I shall, if faithful, see Jesus, and be made like Him. Oh, what joy unspeakable, to see Him who we love — to see Him in His glory who so loved us that He gave Himself for us.” Life Sketches pg 226

We do not now expect to be lifted above all infirmities and tribulations. We expect trials, losses, disappointments and bereavements; but we have the Saviour’s promise, My grace is sufficient for thee. To be buried and tested is a part of moral discipline.

Jesus said, “..in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33. So we shall overcome only if we become “…partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world” 2 Peter 1:4. He overcame, never having sinned in the days of His flesh when He offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death. He was heard because of His Godly Fear. “He learnt obedience by the things that He had suffered” Heb 5:7.

The Christian world prays for peace and we also should pray for it. They also pray for prosperity on earth. Yes, we do wish prosperity too but will God grant all our prayers in this world? Will He set us free from the bondage of tribulation? He says, “I have overcome the world.” “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith” 1John 5:4

My prayer is that we overcome the world through our faith in the dead and risen Saviour, who is able to help us to overcome. He will not overcome for us, but He will help us to overcome for without Him we will accomplish nothing. He has encouraged us in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”

Our challenge and promise set before us is precious. The tribulation that we undergo will result in us obtaining the promises of God. “In my father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:2-3. And He is the Way the Truth and Life. His words are yours and mine personally, not for us collectively.

This call is for individual responsibility.
May the Lord bless us in this world to overcome sin as He did.
Amen.

Charles Mogunde
[email protected]
P.O Box 2869,
Kisii, Kenya