He That Overcometh (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “He that Overcometh” – Jesus was speaking of John when He said, “If I will [or choose] that he tarry [wait] till I come, what is that [what business is it] to thee [Peter]?” (John 21:22). This statement was a prophecy that John would not die a martyr’s death, as was foretold concerning Peter (John 21:18-19). This teaches us that all of the saints will have to “overcome” challenges in their own personal measure, and that Jesus is the only One who decides what measure all of us will have to “overcome.”

Precious Ones, with the exception of Judas, all of the other disciples met death by martyrdom, but John passed through all of those trials because he had evidently been “[given] to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). Why? The answer is obvious – John must have (in his measure) “overcome”! We know this because scripture says that only those who have overcome will be allowed to eat of that tree (see Revelation 2:7).

Chosen Ones, it is said by some theologians that John died at a ripe old age. Others report that John was translated, and yet others hold to the old tradition that John is still alive somewhere on this earth (like Elvis Presley :-). Beloved, how John died is beside the point. The real issue at hand is that the way in which John lived his life was pleasing to God. It is refreshingly obvious that John did not leave his “first love” (Revelation 2:4). Remember – John was the disciple who was so “in love” with Jesus that he testified in his own gospel that he would lean “on [Jesus’] breast at supper [time]” (John 21:20). Ask yourself the question, “Am I serving the Lord because I’m in love with Him, or have the challenges, difficulties, and hardships of this life stolen my love, causing me to serve Him out of duty instead of love?” If Christians do not get emotional over Jesus anymore like they used to, they have left their “first love” and need to “overcome”!

Children of God, we won’t taste death if we love Him, but we will have “everlasting life.”

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy