OVERCOMING

Our most important priority is to overcome; to become more like the Messiah. There are three things to overcome: the pulls of the world, the wiles of satan, and our own carnality.

This is impossible without Yahweh's holy spirit dwelling in our hearts and minds. 

We all know that ancient Israel failed to keep the covenant Yahweh made with them. Only a very few overcame.  Actually only two of the original one and one-half million or so who came out of Egypt actually lived to enter the promised land. What was their problem? They did not have his holy spirit dwelling in their hearts and minds.

Yahweh said, Deu. 5:29  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

but they didn't obey and were dispersed and scattered over the earth into all nations. Then Yahweh made a new covenant; a spiritual covenant, and made a way for his law to be written in our hearts. Jer 31:31-34, and Hebrews 8:8-11. All who would obey and accept Yahshua as their savior, were promised eternal life in the spirit, Acts 5:32: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the holy ghost, whom Yahweh hath given to them that obey him. But Christians, too, failed to keep his covenant. They began to preach and teach that his law is "done away." They taught that works is not necessary - that their "Jesus" did it all! All we have to do is - nothing? Just utter "I believe" and you're ok. Well, is it really any different with us? We should be growing, getting better with each passing year. But are we? If not, why not? Carnality? Pride? Wrong spirit or no spirit? False conversion? No love for the brethren? Probably a little of all these things. So, what do we do? How do we overcome?

Yahshua said we have to become as little children: Mat 18:3-4, “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Yahweh .” (That is getting rid of self). So we must come as little children, in simplicity, and search the scriptures for the reason for this failure to live a life of overcoming. Yahshua put his finger on the problem: Mark 7:21-23, For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

He stated the problem but he also had the answer. He told the young man, "if you will enter into life, keep the commandments." he also said we should serve others and share our blessings with others less blessed than we are. However, he did say it's not always easy to follow him: Mat 7:13-14, “enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

He said we would have trials and might even lose our physical lives by following him. See Mat. 10:34-40. Then in Mat 24:9, He said, “then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.”

Yahshua had no luxuries to offer his converts, but he did have the words of life. He offered truth, freedom, and eternal life. See Luke 4:16-19. Romans 6:23 tells us, “for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh is eternal life through Yahshua the Messiah our Master.”

John 16:33 -  he overcame, and so must we.

Rom 12:19-21: dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; i will repay, saith Yahweh.  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. We are to learn to think as he thought: Luke 22:42  “…Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Heb 10:7 Then said I, lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, o Yahweh. Phil 2:5  let this mind be in you, which was also in the messiah Yahshua:We should always remember to think, "what would Yahshua do in this situation?" Learn to put ourselves in his place. Another key: submit.  Submission is an act of humility. There are 7 things mentioned in the new testament that we should submit to:

1. 1 Cor 16:15-20   I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

2. l Cor. 3:18  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in Yahweh.

Col 3:19  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto Yahweh.

3. Heb 13:17  obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

4. James 4:7 submit yourselves therefore to Yahweh. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

5. 1 pet 2:13-14 submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for Yahweh's sake: or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers,

6. 1 pet 5:5-8  likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for YHWH resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of YHWH, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

If we are too proud to submit, to be humble, to consider others as well as ourselves, then we cannot overcome. Rom 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. for this, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to elohim continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16 but to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices elohim is well pleased.

Deu 10:12-13 and now, Israel, what doth Yahweh thy Elohim require of thee, but to fear Yahweh thy elohim, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh thy elohim with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Notice, it is for our good.  He can live without us, but we can't live without him. Let us live, therefore.

Hallelu YAH! (Praise ye Yahweh!) ~~