For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5:4) This reality flows from Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection, has overcome the world, sin, sickness, and all the works of the devil. Romans 8:37 confirms this truth, "Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." God's eternal plan includes for us "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren" (Romans 8:29) and that we would be a light in this world as we "walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6) Just as Jesus overcame, through that victorious resurrection, power and authority has been released for us to also be conquerors that overcome the world.
Man does not realize how far he has fallen. There is a reason Paul cried out, who is going to save me from this wretched man that I am? Obviously, the next verse (Romans 7:25) recognizes the answer is Jesus. However, there is a problem. Man thinks he is okay and can make it on his own strength, his own wisdom, his own ways. Since all creation also fell according to Romans 8:21, into the bondage of corruption, and combined with the self-centered philosophy of the world, the result is man will have problems and trials. Man's ways and flesh lead to death. God has to bring man (us) to the place where we turn from man's ways to receiving help from Him. We need Jesus to save us, change us, and show us how to live.
There is an example in nature of a mother pigeon with her young ones which may give insight. Pigeons make their nest on a perch usually high above the ground. When mother pigeon thinks that her young ones can and should learn to fly, she lures them to the edge and pushes them off! As they begin to fall the young bird quickly flaps his wings and starts to fly, The mother dives behind them catching them (in case they fail) before they reach the ground. What lesson is in the way this developmental step of growth happens? We only "fly" when we have to!
Fight the good fight of faith. The Word makes it clear that we will have battles and that we use faith to overcome them. Psalm 34:19 points out "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." On the other hand, do you remember God's warning to Laodicea when they were complacent in their faith and didn't need anything, instead of seeing they were "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." The good news is, which may not seem like good news to our flesh, that trials and problems are God-designed to wake us up and cause us to seek His help. Even Jesus went through trials as "the Spirit led him into the wilderness." Why does James 1:2 say "to count it all joy when you fall into various trials"? The answer given in the following two verses is that you "may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
God knows man's frame and remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14). In other words, he knows exactly what we are and what works to get us to where we need to go. We are "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29) and He has always planned "that we should be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4) It is clear that only God can cause and maintain that sharing of divine nature. Therefore, God needs to bring us to the point where we see our need and choose to depend upon Him. As we grow through His revelation and have faith in His promises, God allows us to partake of His nature until He becomes "all in all." God is the master Father, who encourages, nurtures, and yes, even disciplines us, to become what He intended us to be. God is at work in us "to will and to work" for His pleasure. Praise God forever.
Therefore, be of good courage. In every situation, God will make all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Through the victorious life of the Lord Jesus, you are always led in triumph and by faith, overcome. Give thanks and be patient, the Spirit will manifest that overcoming power of Jesus' resurrection in and through you.
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