◄ ►

The Portrait of the Overcomer

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

There is another word, which just means that which has escaped from slavery and is breathing free air. That is a fine picture, a fine portrait for Overcomers that which has escaped from slavery and is breathing free air. I dare not stay to interpret that. Some of us, even in our Christian lives and histories, know what it is to escape from slavery. Oh, the old bondage of the Christian system and order, expectation and demand, all the old rota and legality! to be free of it all! Not only to be raised with Christ, but to have the grave clothes taken off and to be breathing the free air of the spiritually emancipated! That is what this word calls a "remnant," and that is not something extra to Christianity. It is exactly what you find at the beginning with the Church.

The Lord had cried in the midst of a burdened, tyrannized, religious nation "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). What is the old yoke, the old burden, which has harassed and worn these people so that they are weary to death, drawing out His compassionate appeal "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest"? It is the old yoke and burden of legalistic religion, 'thou shalt' and 'thou shalt not': 'you must' and 'you must not' the whole system built up like that; a great burden. "They bind heavy burdens," He said, "and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with their finger" (Matt. 23:4). And this word for "remnant" means such as have escaped slavery and are breathing the free air. You find them in the beginning of the book of the Acts. Overcomers are those who go back to the beginning in experience. They do not take up something further which is deeper teaching or fuller light. It is the primal freshness and fullness of Christ that Overcomers represent unfortunately, in contrast to the general situation.

He always lives to make intercession.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died … who also makes intercession for us. § Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. § There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. § Through Him we . . . have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Heb. 7:25;  Rom. 8:34;  Heb. 9:24;  1 John 2:1;  1 Tim. 2:5;  Heb. 4:14,16;  Eph. 2:18.

Those who know Your name will put their trust in You.

This is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. § I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor. § O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Mighty God, Everlasting Father. § I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Prince of Peace. § He Himself is our peace. § Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. § Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help. § Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it.

Ps. 9:10;  Jer. 23:6;  Ps. 71:16;  Isa. 9:6;  Jer. 10:23;  Isa. 9:6;  2 Tim. 1:12;  Isa. 9:6;  Eph. 2:14;  Rom. 5:1;  Prov. 18:10 ; Isa. 31:1,5

Reliance In Toto

Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace" (2 Thess. 2:16).

It has been well said that "it takes a lifetime to learn real dependence upon God, and to accept practically our own inadequacy." We are going to learn this only through experience, and now is the time to settle down to this schooling - a day at a time.

"We are to understand that God loves us, and that He justifies us by the work of His Son. We have no longer conscience of sins before God, because He Himself has taken them away before His eyes; we know that being united to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has fully glorified God in that which concerns our sins, we have been made the righteousness of God in Him. So the heart is free to enjoy His love in the presence of the Father." -J.N.D.

"I no longer attempt to produce that which will satisfy God from myself as originator. I know that even if I try I shall only fail. But I do seek to please God by faith in the activity of Another. The Son of God who indwells me by His Spirit is able and willing to carry out in me those things that please Him'; and I count upon Him to do so. Consciously, day by day, I take the attitude that I trust Him to work the will of God in me, and in that attitude I go forward and serve Him. I do not trust myself. I live by faith in the Son of God.'" -A.I.K.

"Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (2 Thess. 2:17).

Complete in Christ - Grace Thru Faith- study [25]

K.R.R.Y For Faith