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We Are To Overcome As Christ Overcame, January 17
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world.
John 16:33
.
Satan made stronger attacks upon Christ than he will ever make upon us. There
was much at stake with him, whether Christ or himself should be conqueror. If
Christ resisted his most powerful temptations, and Satan did not succeed in leading
Him to sin, he knew that he must lose his power, and finally be punished with
everlasting destruction. Therefore Satan worked with mighty power to lead Christ
to do a wrong action, for then he would gain advantage over Him.... You can never
be tempted in so determined and cruel manner as was our Saviour. Satan was
upon His path every moment.
Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and perseverance
resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His conflict with the foe in the
wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against his will from the power
of Satan’s artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine
power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must
overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege
to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and
joint-heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the
overcoming. Man must do
his
part; he must be victor on his own account, through
the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a co-worker with Christ
in the labor of overcoming, and then he will be partaker with Christ in His glory.
The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome. All the temptations
of Satan, Christ met with the Word of God. By trusting in God’s promises, He
received power to obey God’s commandments, and the tempter could gain no
advantage.
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