How Did Jesus Overcome The World?

John 15:19

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-15-19/

Those that are in the world will always hate Christians and despise us, torment us if they are able, and even betray us in the end. It must have been the constant forgiveness that made Jesus stronger and able to withstand all the thorns and barbs of temptation that were constantly around him. In the Spirit, He continually makes us always spiritually stronger and is with us constantly in the battles that are ongoing. How do we get stronger in our spirit as Christians? Some of the ways to be stronger Christians are keeping passages of the Bible in your memory, reading the Bible often, praying, and remembering to be humble in our dealings with all people. We must remember ourselves to be thankful to God in the future, because calamity could come at any moment. I thank God for having already had such a blessed life, but I know that one day sickness and death will find me. Yes, we must constantly remember and remind ourselves that God has blessed us in the past and made us a special place in his own memory. Did we deserve that brief respite of good times, good health, great opportunities, and abundance, when we benefited from his multiple blessings? Actually no, we never deserve any of the abundant spiritual gifts or good physical life that we may pass through on earth; but since he loved us and continues to do so, we can look back, look now, or look ahead with thankfulness.

How curious it is to be blessed by God. Do we know that people are being healed by our prayers? Are we aware that at a distance, someone escapes a sure punishment of death and destruction, all because we have prayed for them, or thought about them, or lifted their name up to God for mercy? Probably not, and we are not aware that God heals people whom we have mentioned to him in a passing note of urgency and submitted their names and faces to his Holy Spirit for eventual consideration. We recall past acquaintances in our thoughts and wish them well, but we are actually unaware that God is bridging the distance supernaturally and bringing about a change in their plans, causing them to switch direction, change their mode of life, or even fall on their knees to ask for forgiveness, because of his nearness. Can the Spirit of God traverse the distances of time and space? Jesus Christ healed at a distance. There is proof of it on several occasions that have been mentioned in the New Testament.

Matthew 8:13

“And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-8-13/

We don't really know who God heals and who God does not heal, nor do we know whether it could have been our prayer or that of another, who might have been instrumental in a healing. Certainly, we as Christians are sure that it is not of our own doing. It is the will of God and his will alone that makes the doing of those good things. Faith is to be consigned to always accept God's will. As Christians we are merely servants of Jesus Christ. If someone is at death's door, it may be unusual that he or she could recover, and more unusual that time will delay for very long the inevitable. Death finds us all, and even the best Christians on earth will go to that long narrow house that is appointed for all living. I do know one thing, and that is to remember the words of Jesus Christ, so that we can at least help to accomplish in ourselves what the Spirit of God accomplished in Him.

John 6:63

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-6-63/

You can't change the world for anything better, unless you first change yourself. Give up your sins willingly. To avoid temptation is always profitable for you and everyone else around you. To be at peace with your fellow man is to be at peace with yourself also. To give aid, charity, and comfort to those who are in need is to also help in covering a multitude of your own sins. Pray for your loved ones, your families, the world, and those who are in position to do the most good, and also for yourself.

How did Jesus overcome the world? I don't know for sure, but a good start is by changing yourself. To overcome the world, first you have to change your heart. Take away the stony heart that is within your own body and change it for one that is compassionate and benevolent. God will cleanse you from your idols and filthiness. I say this to everyone and not to one in particular, as I say often to myself. Give up your idols. Don't let your personal passions and prejudices or your distractions become your idols. Success can become an idol, as well as the fear of criticism. Ezekiel said it best, to change your heart.

Ezekiel 36:23 - 36:29

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ezekiel-36-23_36-29/

Everyone has idols that they substitute for the Word of God, the words of Jesus Christ, when they should be paying attention and trying to change their inward cowardice and filthy lives to bring them into compliance with God's will. Be brave and step out with abandon, trusting in God and not in yourself alone.

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; ifthere be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-4-8/

Jesus Christ gave us a road map, a design, and a perfectly clear pathway in which to overcome the world. We don't know exactly how he did it, but he has told us to read and accept his words and to believe in a better way than a life lived in the flesh. It is his words that give us hope of salvation, hope to overcome the world, and a sure sign that he will come again in glory. It is a Spiritual world not made with hands, yet his Healing Holy Hand is upon us.

Revelation 1:16 - 1:18

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-1-16_1-18/

Let Jesus Christ lay his healing right hand with the seven stars upon you. He is the one who liveth, and was dead, but now is alive for evermore. He alone has the keys of hell and death, health, forgiveness, and everlasting life.

October 17, 2019

Cliff Rhodes Christian Ministry