Overcomer

I was scrolling through an online news site and came to the unsurprising conclusion: we are surrounded by evil. It is prevalent all around the globe. Just consider the daily reports from across the nation (the United States, where I live). People do cruel things to one another. Wickedness is on full display – approved, lauded, and honored. Sin isn’t relegated to dark, secluded places any longer. Even here in the “Bible belt,” there is ample evidence of evil. At times, it seems to be overpowering.
Can we overcome the power of evil? You better believe it!
Standing in heaven, watching the end unfold, John, the author of Revelation, heard a “loud voice” proclaim: “They overcame [satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). There are only two things that will guarantee our victory over evil and the evil one: the blood of the Lamb, which is salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and our testimony.
But what testimony overcomes evil? John knew. “Who is he that overcomes the world? Only he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5). Jesus, the Son of God, who overcame the world, is our good testimony.
God the Father proclaimed it at Jesus’ baptism, when “a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ (Matthew 4:17); and again at Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). The disciples declared it when they saw Jesus and Peter walking on the water, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). Peter pronounced it in his confession saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus built His church on that very confession. Even the Roman centurion exclaimed, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Paul repeatedly preached that Jesus was the Son of God. The martyrs of the ages past died with the good confession on their lips —“Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
As this world becomes increasingly evil, only the good confession of the Son of God will enable believers to overcome. The church’s witness for more than two thousand years has been: “Jesus Christ is the Son of God!” It is the core truth of the Christian faith. Everything else comes from that good confession.
One day, “every knee will bow” before Him and “every tongue will confess” the divine Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Phil 2:10-11). Beloved, don’t wait. Evil is all around us. But “today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). Will you declare Jesus this day?