Overcomers

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Revelation 12:11

Revelation 12 describes the cosmic spiritual battle between Satan (the seven-headed red dragon) and God. Satan wrestles with the angels of God and then he fights against the people of God. But the faithful saints are able to overcome the dragon's attack because as John writes in another book "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Revelation 12:11 gives three keys to the faithful saint's victory over Satan. First of all is "the blood of the Lamb." It is through Christ's atoning death and triumphant resurrection that we are victorious. Next is "the word of their testimony." Our testimony and assurance that we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation that holds us steady when Satan hurls darts of doubt and fear our way. Finally, is the fact that "they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Self love makes us an easy target for Satan's deceitful schemes because he can easily convince us that his way of pleasure promotes our self interest better than God's way of obedience. It is only when we die to self and love Christ more than our own life that we are ready to stand as an overcomer in the face of Satan's deceitful schemes.

Are you trusting in the power of Christ's blood? Do you have a confident testimony of a personal relationship with Jesus? Do you love Christ more than your own life? If you can say yes to these three questions then you are ready to live as an overcomer.

Father, I want to be an overcomer in Christ. Help me to grow strong in faith, grow close in fellowship, and grow deep in obedience that I might stand against the enemies deceitful schemes and glorify Christ.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

P.S. Don't forget to pick up a 2010 First Light Reading Guide on Sunday at the Welcome Desk.