Overcoming the World
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
In this chapter, Jesus is preparing his disciples, telling them he is going to be leaving them. He knew he was going to the cross and would be resurrected and he tells the disciples that the, Spirit of truth, which is the holy spirit will guide them and show them things to come.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16:13-15
At the end of the above scripture he is explaining to the disciples that all things that are the Father’s, are also his. This is a very important concept because in the following chapter he builds upon this, explaining he is one with the Father and prays we too may be, “one in us”.
Neither pray I for these alone, (the disciples) but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (us) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23
This scripture, I have referenced previously because it is one of the most powerful verses in the entire Bible, because once one realizes the power of this statement, then it is possible to receive understanding about, why, all things are possible! Then you understand why Christ had overcome the world, He realized his oneness with God! He also prayed we too, may be one in us; that is, God, Christ and us, one. Glory to God, this is a wondrous realization!
John, Christ’s beloved disciple, who was also present at the transfiguration and many miracles mentions how to overcome the world again in some of his later writings.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
He also went a step further and tells us we too have this anointing abiding in you.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1John 2:27
This anointing abiding in us transforms us into a new creature, teaching us how to become righteous, which is being in right-standing with God! John tells us more here:
Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous. 1John 3:7
Being righteous is knowing that God/Christ are dwelling within you, believing what Christ said and doing what he said! If we truly believe in Christ then we will do what he said!
And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luke 6:46
The term Christ, comes from the Greek word, Christos, meaning the, “the anointed one”, or the, chosen one, chosen by God. The Hebrew equivalent, is the word, Mashiach, the Messiah, the anointed one, an act of consecrating one with holy oil. In this case, anointed by God! In the scripture above it is telling us that if we believe He, Jesus is the anointed, and love him, then we also love the Father. But we also must keep his commandments, which he says are not grievous, not difficult or causing pain, for the main commandments which are above all of the others are simply to love God with all of our heart, (Jesus said, all of our heart and mind) and to love others. This makes perfect sense since in 1 John 4:16, the scripture tells us, God IS love!
So, when we believe what the Christ said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciple. John15:7-8 then we become aware that God’s power is with us! Jesus was one with the Father and tells us this and he also told us that he only spoke what the Father told him.
God’s word is filled with power and all through the scriptures there is a great emphasis about the words we speak. We must realize that the word’s we speak are creating conditions in the unseen. More than that even, our very thoughts matter for we are told, I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10 The Christ too tells us that just to think negative thoughts is sin, missing the mark. He tells us over and over that it is done unto you as you believe. So, living righteously, in right-standing is an entire belief system. Not only must we believe in the Christ, but we must do what he says, understand what he was saying, have faith, love in our heart, the center of our very being! This is how we overcome, by putting God’s word in our heart and in our mouth, believing in the power of God, his Word, believing Christ!
God is with us; the scriptures tell us this over and over, but we must believe it!
Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Glory to God! Once we understand that we are living in a righteous system where it is done unto you as you believe, regardless of whether one knows it or not, then we can grasp the Christ’s words, believe what he says and do it! We have the scriptures to help us gain knowledge and understanding to overcome the world but we must believe!
Until next time, may you all be blessed and filled with the power of God to overcome all adversity, to overcome the world! May we all walk in love, help one another, realizing all people do not yet understand, so we must be patient and filled with the Spirit!
The Realm by Daniel Mears 