- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
“MORE THAN CONQUERORS!”
By J.C.Metcalfe.
Christian people, in common with very many others, are facing times of very real stress and danger, in many ways the counterpart of the familiar catalogue of “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” of Romans 8 v35. Many have probably never realised before the stark reality of these things, but this is the very setting the jewel of Scripture, quoted in our heading, needs. “In all these things” we are told, we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8 v37).
“In all these things”. How many times, in normal days of peace, have we heard this fact brought out from pulpit and platform? ‘In’ means ‘IN’, and this mighty triumph which makes us “more than conquerors” is brought about during the threat, and often the awful reality of personal danger and trial. Yes, right in the very midst of all these things we are more than conquerors.
The clue to a correct understanding of the enemy’s objective surely lies in the challenge, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The bitter hatred of the prince of darkness for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and everything that concerns Him, is grim fact. “The love of Christ”, that great amazing love, seen in its full glory at Bethlehem, in Gethsemane and on Calvary, can alone really satisfy the heart of man, and carry us through time and into eternity in safety. Satan understands this thoroughly. He, therefore, so handles his kingdom that hatred, strife, fear and suffering go rolling in huge waves over mankind. He silences the Gospel whenever and wherever he can. He sows the seeds of religious hypocrisy. By any and every means he seeks to hide and destroy the power of the love of Christ. If he can accomplish his purpose in this, he holds the world of men safely in his soul-destroying grip.
Our verse defies him and raises a banner against him. A calm, radiant faith in our living Saviour is a “more than” triumph. Others seeing it take heart, and even those who cannot bring themselves to trust, marvel. All the hosts of heaven witness the wisdom of God in the Church. If you and I can simply and humbly look into the face of Jesus and relying utterly upon Him catch some of His radiance, we are not merely preparing for some future triumph, ours is a present victory. Joined to Him who is even now King of kings, and Lord of lords, we are “more than conquerors”. The proud sway of the adversary is challenged and overcome wherever there are sheep who love the Shepherd’s voice.
It seems more and more that in spite of all limitations of service, in spite of danger, suffering, or anxiety, to-day is the day of the church’s opportunity. Christ was King on Calvary. “Father”, He cried, “into your hands I commend my spirit”, and throwing off principalities and powers, He triumphed over them openly. The power of God worked through His utter weakness. So to-day, the church is utterly weak, and it is thrilling to feel that this is God’s chance.
“I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Can you catch the song of victory ringing through that verse? The glorious thing is that that love will keep you and me. All we have to do is to rest in His love, God will do the rest and His “more than” conquest will be manifested to men, and drive deep into the very heart of hell.
‘Jesus, the Name that calms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease.
'Tis music in the sinner’s ears, 'Tis life, and health, and peace.’