More Than Conquerors
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Finally one of the two struts away with an arrogant bearing, head and shoulders wagging. He has won!
But has he? Look at him. He has a bloody nose, a black eye and welts on his face and arms. And if looks could kill he wouldn’t even be alive, for while his friends shout his praises, the boy he has beaten gives him a look that says: “Just wait.” He has not won anything except, perhaps, a bitter and lasting enemy.
So it is with the wars that nations wage against each other. Necessary as it sometimes becomes to defend our liberties, our homes, our way of life, by force of arms, seldom does any nation actually win the war. Rather all lose, even the “victors,” as in their “victories” they sow the bitterness and hate which are the seeds of future wars.
It is different, however, with “the good fight of [the] faith,” for the Christian may come out of every battle stronger than when he went in. Only the Christian can say with regard to the heartaches and disappointments, the difficulties and obstacles, that cross his path: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37).
During Paul’s busy ministry for Christ he suffered a painful “thorn in the flesh,” and “besought the Lord thrice” that it might be taken away. The Lord did not see fit to remove the thorn, but answered Paul:
“My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Cor. 12:9).Paul’s response:
“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me… for when I am weak, then am I strong” (Vers. 9,10).Let all go well, and we are prone to grow careless in our Christian lives. Adversity, on the other hand, makes Christians lean the harder and pray the more — and therein lies their strength and their victory.
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the
newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for
many years, so that local, national and international events are
discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date
such articles, we have left them just as they were when first
published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially
since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper
articles."
We hope that you'll agree that while
some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths
taught therein are timeless.
that's fantastic; I'm so glad I read it. Thanks, Sparky.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!
Z
I look forward to the day when the fighting is over....and we meet our Savior either in the air...or in Heaven. What a glorious day that will be. Until then, let's keep on keeping on spreading His Word...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog, my friend.
Love,
Jackie
AWESOME post my dear friend!! Blessings
ReplyDeleteAWESOME post my dear friend!! Blessings
ReplyDeleteAWESOME post my dear friend!! Blessings
ReplyDeleteJust last night my Pastor was speaking about when adversary comes, we have to unite under God, to fight off Satan and his army. Satan wants to make us feel content, so he can come in and destroy us. There will be wars and rumors of war, but for me, I am looking to that wonderful day when He comes back to get me, or I go to Heaven before that time. Be strong.
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