THE OVERCOMING LIFE

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." -- 1 John 5:4

     The overcoming life is the ideal life. The mastery of every outward and inward suggestion to evil is a great victory. Many would give everything they possess to have it. Who would not consider it a great honor to be at the head of an army of one hundred thousand men! Think of it! Power to compel the surrender of a great city! Serving notice on said city that it must surrender inside of two hours or be bombed; but that if they send, by a prominent citizen, the keys of the city, including those of all the vaults in the national banks, they will be spared. But I can think of a larger commission, where every man, woman and child can be entrusted with a greater power than that of taking a city. It reads something like this: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." -- Prov. 16:32

     This overcoming business is a mighty business! In ancient times the victor or conqueror in a battle was crowned and clothed with gorgeous apparel. He was dined at the king's table and given the daintiest of food. In like manner he who overcomes his three great enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil, shall reap here and hereafter great enjoyments and lasting honors.

     Doctrinally speaking, in the work of justification we are made overcomers. The Apostle Paul says we have "peace with God" and are enabled "to stand and withstand" all the darts of hell. The chief difference between justification and entire sanctification is not on the outside but the inside. Justification should correct all outside conduct; while the work of heart purity should eliminate all inside trouble. In short, in the first blessing we get victory over everything; while in the "second blessing," as John Wesley put it, we get deliverance from everything. In justification we receive something we never had before -- we get all the graces of the Spirit; while in entire sanctification we get rid of something we always had -- we get rid of carnality.

     Again, in the work of regeneration we receive a kingdom. "Lo, the kingdom of God is within you!" You have heard shallow preachers instruct seekers, saying, "Perhaps you are expecting too much." How absurd! God bless you! We are to receive a kingdom; and if so, it is no cheap, ethereal thing. A kingdom worthy of the name is supposed to have a king, and this king is supposed to be empowered to suppress all internal uprisings and at the same time resist successfully all outside attacks. Yea, more, he is supposed not only to suppress all internal and outside attacks, bat at the same time keep up a vigorous commerce upon the seas. For instance, King George of Great Britain is supposed to do all these things. But, with all his power, no doubt he is painfully conscious that within his kingdom there are unruly subjects that must be suppressed and kept under rule; else they may work ruin and death.

     In like manner, this is what takes place in a genuinely converted heart. When the kingdom of God is set up within, immediately this convert finds himself empowered through grace to suppress all unholy tempers, resist the attacks of the devil from without, and, blessed be God, go up stream doing great business for his Lord. In short, Christ is already crowned within, but there is a vast difference between Christ reigning, and His reigning without a rival. In regeneration Christ reigns, swaying the scepter of righteousness over the domains of that newly-born soul; and he who was once defeated is now victor and overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil. Nevertheless, he is greatly grieved and pained that at times he finds within him enemies that must be suppressed and kept under lock and key, lest he again suffer defeat.

     Hear the great and godly George Fox, founder of the Friends or Quaker church. He preached "second-blessing holiness" long before there were any Methodists. This proves that no one sect has a copyright on any special doctrine or blessing; it also proves that God must and will have a witness, and if one church fails, He will raise up another. Listen to George Fox's testimony: "I knew Jesus and He was very precious to my soul" -- conversion. "But I found something within me that would not keep sweet and patient and kind at all times" -- carnality. "I did what I could to keep it down, but it was there" -- suppression. "Then when I gave Him my whole will and heart, He came and took out all that would not be sweet, all that would not be patient, all that would not be kind" -- eradication. "Then He shut the door" -- preservation. Hallelujah!