Are you an overcomer? Do you see yourself as victorious over the enemy and as already being on the winning side of the spiritual battles of life? For Jesus, it was essential that His disciples understand that the coming days were going to get rough, but that they had no reason for concern. He was going to conquer sin and death by sacrificing His life on the cross. He was going to be raised from the dead through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. And He would ascend back to heaven and send that same Holy Spirit to indwell them. His victory would be their victory. His defeat of sin and death would be theirs to share. In John 16, Jesus provides His disciples, and that includes us, with reassuring words concerning His battle with the flesh, Satan and the world. He has overcome them all. He has fought the battle and won the victory. But that doesn't mean there won't be days of trouble and difficulty in this life. The enemy is defeated, but not dead. He is conquered, but not yet captive. He still walks the earth like a roaring lion, seeking new prey to devour. He is the most deadly kind of enemy, one that has been mortally wounded but has enough life remaining to inflict some serious wounds on the unprepared. So, we are to have peace because of Christ's victory, but we should never be complacent.
