Scripture reading: Matthew 7:16-20
The tendency in the groups and bodies around the world, who believe the word of the end time messengers, is to believe that they are the first fruits company or even the overcomers. BELIEVING THE MESSAGE OF THE OVERCOMERS QUALIFIES THE BELIEVER TO BECOME AN OVERCOMER – BUT DOES NOT MAKE HIM ONE.
The high calling of God is given to many, but some fall like Judas going to the very depths of degradation. Others fail in a lesser sense, like the five foolish virgins only losing their position and reward, but not necessarily their souls. There are also others who fail for one reason or another and force God to take them out of the battle rather than allow them to lose everything. The basic point here is that Overcomers must overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. This is the victory. The victory which God requires is that the character of Jesus Christ be formed within the soul of the believer. God will not give the believer OVERCOMING as a present. The believer must overcome using the tools which God has given him.
We, therefore, are being encouraged to turn away from the distractions which are so prevalent within the thinking and operation of the church today. The distractions are subtle and sometimes deceive the best of us. A good example of this is the case they had in Miami, Florida, where two bank robbers, long sought by the Police shot seven FBI men and were themselves shot and killed. It turned out that one of them was a well-known “Born Again” Christian who was publicized in a well-known Christian magazine as a model Christian. The reason why the Christian world accepts and fellowships with devils without recognizing them, is that our criteria for judging, say a Born Again Christian, is absolutely not scriptural but according to our traditions and humanistic thinking.
Let us take for instance the subject of VICTORY for a Christian: It is being taught and preached from the pulpits of almost every realm of the church as meaning those who can get miracles to physical bodies and also financial miracles. Although these can come from God, they are not on a plane where they can be the criteria for judging Godliness. If however, you can get a few miracles done, not only the crowds will come flocking to you, but the whole Christian world will look up to you regardless of your spiritual condition. Some live in adultery and others are fornicators. Some lie and cheat to get offerings and others are lords over God’s heritage, flaunting God to the face, but they are exalted by the church and the world as the greatest Christians of our time. According to the norm of our times, successful ministers must have big congregations and wield influence over many persons to be counted. Is this the victory which Jesus Christ gives? No! The overcomer must live above earthiness. Devils do also get miracles done as stated in the scripture that it would be an end time sign. Jesus Christ gave us a sure word pertaining to the discernment of those who are truly Christians: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Fruits are different from GIFTS. If He had said by their gifts ye shall know them, then we would be totally deceived. Gifts can be counterfeited, but fruits of the Spirit cannot.
(Excerpt from The Omega Message, May 1986)
Thought for today: God will not give the believer OVERCOMING as a present. The believer must overcome using the tools which God has given him.
Sonlight Devotional 