ὑπερνικάω

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Romans 8:37 (NASB)
"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

We have heard of this verse very often, but let me expound on this to the best that I can so that we can all have a deeper understanding on this promise that is given to us.

But in all these things...
I've often been asked, how come after accepting God as my saviour, I still struggle with many things even though I'm more than a conqueror? Thats because people often miss out on the front of this verse... but IN all these things..

God never promised us a life without problems, but He HAS GIVEN us victory over our circumstances... but, what are 'these things'?

To understand this, we'll look at verse 35.
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

Sounds scary eh? Lest that you think these things are only applicable to the apostles of the early church, allow me to show you what these words mean.
tribulation: pressure; to be burdened or troubled.
distress: narrowness of room; to have obstacles in the way.
persecution: persecution (straightforward)
famine and nakedness: lack.
peril and sword: danger.

We can easily claim this verse when everything is going well, but what happens when these things set in? When your heart is burdened with worries? When you are stuck with decisions that you're struggling to make? When you're persecuted for your faith?

... we overwhelmingly conquer..
I love the NASB translation in comparison to the rest; it best brings out the meaning of the greek word, hupernikao.

Lets look at the extent of which we, as children of God, have overwhelmingly conquered these things.
In the Ephesians prayer which we've been praying, we see that...
"..which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.."

You might say, "Oh, but this verse speaks of Christ, not us."
True, it speaks of Christ.
But look, it says, "..gave Him as head over all things to the church.."
Now then, when I speak to each of you, do I only speak to your heads?
So when I say, for example, "Hi Nicole, lets go to Ah Seah for lunch.." will Mao's head just float off with me? No, her whole body comes along with her head.
That is the same position we have in Christ too!

Therefore, live each day with your head held high, knowing that we are seated with Christ Jesus at the right hand of God! (eph 2:6)