More Than Conquerors (Part 7)

 The following is from A. B. Simpson's book A Larger Christian Life:

"'More than conquerors' means not only victory but final triumph and eternal reward. How Heaven will recompense her victors some glorious day!

". . . For four things Paul expected a crown, but the first of them was because he had fought the good fight of faith. Among the special recompenses of the Day of His Appearing there is a crown, not only for the martyr, not only for the faithful minister, not only for those who love His appearing, but for 'the man that endureth temptation.' 'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.' There is a chance for all of you. There is a chance for you who think that you have the hardest time of any human being.

"Beloved, it is but an opportunity for coronation. Will you not only triumph, but so triumph that you shall wear a crown of life in which these tears which you shed today shall flash as crystal diamonds, and these scars of battle shall be transformed into marks of eternal beauty and everlasting honor?  But mere enthusiasm or even high and glorious purpose will not accomplish this great result. It is 'through Him that loved us' that we must overcome. Thank God that is possible for us all!

"He whom Joshua saw as Captain of the Lord's Host and whom Joshua took as his Great Commander-in-chief waits to lead your battle and claim your victory too. 'I have overcome for thee,' He stands exclaiming by thy side. Commit thy conflict to His hands, take Him into thy heart as strength, 'be strong in the Lord and the power of His might,' and 'put on the whole armor of God that ye may stand against the wiles of the devil.'

"'The battle is not yours but God's.' 'The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace,' and when all is accomplished and the banner waves in triumph and the crown is bestowed, we shall drape our battle-flags around His throne, and lay our diadems at His feet, and cry, not the old version, 'Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph,' but 'thanks be unto God which leadeth us in triumph through Jesus Christ our Lord.' 'In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.'"