To overcome is to learn to see things as Christ sees them. The mind of Christ sets us free today from the tyranny of self. It makes it possible for us to live in the world yet not be of the world. Our eyes and ears may be assailed with the flood of evil around us, but we are undeceived and unallured. We can today prepare for the time of trouble by seeing what Paul saw: “What I mean, my brothers, is this: there is not much time left, and from now on, . . . those who buy [should live] as though they did not own what they bought; those who deal in material goods, as though they were not fully occupied with them. For this world, as it is now, will not last much longer.” 1 Corinthians 7.29-31, TEV. That vision will automatically result in living in a new-found freedom from worldliness.
The problem is that our human nature is innately deeply opposed to this reality. We are obsessed with unreality. That which is passing away rivets our devotion. We have had a lifetime love affair with sinful materialism. There would be no fear of the time of trouble among God’s people if this were not so. We are ambivalent in feeling drawn to Christ, while at the same time we are repelled by His demand for taking up the cross to follow Him. A preparation for the time of trouble resolves this ambivalence. And the One who does the work is the Holy Spirit. We simply learn to cooperate with Him.
Not one name will ever be blotted from the book of life that has “overcome.” The promise will be kept: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3.5. Overcoming is saying Yes to the Holy Spirit and No to the love of self.
This is the simple, basic lesson that Jesus has taught us. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame.” Revelation 3.21. Jesus was as fully tempted by materialism and sensuality as we are today. Don’t think for a moment that when the devil offered him all the shopping marts and kingdoms of the world if He would only recognize Satan’s principle of love of self, that Jesus was not terribly impressed with the glittering prospect. All this fabulous wealth of the world, including today’s electronic marvels, all to be His, if He will only give up His crazy idea of going to a cross! The truth of the Incarnation insists that Jesus is as fully human as He is fully divine. Scripture is plain that He was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin.
If you were offered everything that Macy’s and Mercedes-Benz could give you, you would not be tempted as much as Jesus was. Yet He said “No.” “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5.30; 6.38. Like a teacher drilling her kindergarten pupils in their ABC’s, the Holy Spirit teaches us how to respond to temptation as Jesus did: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions. . . . Jesus Christ . . . . gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own.” Titus 2.11, NIV.
Our battle is always one of faith, never of works. Note that it is “the grace of God” that teaches us how to pronounce that decisive word, “No.” It’s not fear of punishment, or hope of reward, that motivates us to follow Christ. Faith appreciates His sacrifice for us, and good works follow naturally. Learning to believe God’s good news, learning to appreciate His grace, this is our battle. Overcoming is simply accepting the yoke, which unites us to Christ. He does the pulling, He bears the weight. We cooperate with Him. We learn to understand and appreciate His character and what it cost Him to redeem the world. This is how we overcome even as He overcame.
Preparation for the time of trouble resolves itself into taking up our cross and following in the footsteps of Jesus. But no one can find the strength and courage to do so until he sees and appreciates the heavenly love that led the Son of God to take up His cross and carry it all the way to His supreme sacrifice at the end. Neither fear of being lost nor hope of reward in heaven can motivate us to follow Him truly. Only “the love of Christ constraineth us.” The verb means to compel, to motivate. Here we come face to face with the mysterious attraction of Christ’s cross: “We thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” That is, all would be dead if He had not died for “all.” Simple, decent human honesty and gratitude dictate the only response possible: “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5.14, 15. Without mentioning the word “faith,” Paul masterfully paints for us a picture of what it is—the motivating force of a heart-appreciation of that magnificent love revealed in its fullness at the cross.
It is true that preparing for the time of trouble will make vast changes in our lifestyle. But the point I am making is that the motivating force that accomplishes these miracles is like that which causes a bride to harmonize her lifestyle with that of her bridegroom. Love does it, or to state it more accurately, an appreciation of the bridegroom’s love and of his character, does it.
This is what the New Testament means when it speaks of righteousness by faith. And that is the only true preparation for the time of trouble.