Overcoming is Crucial

Sometimes I get a bit confused and amused at people who call themselves Christians. They have heard all the sermons, listened to all of the music, prayed, rededicated, and so forth, but they stillhave a problem 'Overcoming.' I encourage everyone to look at what the scripture says about ''Overcoming' using a concordance. I think that you will be surprised at how crucial 'Overcoming' is to our final destiny.

As I read Revelation 21:6-8 this morning I was lead to post on this one particular scripture; "He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolators and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Now, I don't know about you, but this really gets my attention! You see, and 'overcomer' gets their fill with Jesus, and He gives them everything they need to overcome. I don't believe by any means that when Jesus says "He who overcomes will inherit all this" means that He will show favoritism to those who don't. So, who are thos who don't 'Overcome?'

Cowardly: Those who succumb to peer pressure, those who do not make a stand for right instead of wrong, those who give way to sin instead of Jesus. Those who care more about themselves than others. Those who are afraid to be a witness for Christ.

The Unbelieving: I beleive we have all been here before, but that we are no longer walkign in unbelief. These are people who talk the talk, but do not walk the walk. These are people who 'try' instead of do. These are people who justify sin, compromise, and proclaim defeat instead of walking in victory. They are 'Fans' and not 'Followers.'

Vile: Those who are unpleasant, wicked, evil. Those who are always negative and un hospitable.

Murderers: Not just those who kill, but also those that kill with words, demoralize.

The Sexually Immoral: Those who lust after the opposite sex. Those who have pornographic issues. Those who wear provacative clothing. Those who justfiy and watch shows, or movies that have sexual content, and justify it by saying that it has a good story. Those who are engaged in premarital sex of any kind.

Those who practice Magic Arts: People who believe in horoscopes, gambling, lotteries, or anything that is merely an act of faith in something rather than God to help them.

Idolators: Those who love anything more than Jesus. Those who won't give up anything for Jesus. Those who put anything before Jesus.

All Liars: A real biggy! Exaggerating, outright lying of any sort. Any size of lie. One that does not tell the whole truth.

Wow! What a list and what a great opportunity to 'Self Examine!' You see, we don't necessarily want to admit that we have or have had any of these traits that actually condemn us to death according to the scripture. Jesus dies so that we can overcome all of these traits. If we don't then we won't 'Inherit' what we think we have already. Overcoming is Huge. Jesus died a hideous death so that we can, not can't. He has given us His Spirit so that we can overcome, and not fail. It is time to admit the truth and become an overcomer. It is time to forget about the faith we thought we had, and start living in an overcoming faith. Our eternity rests on it. 'Overcome!'