Sermon 65 The Christian Conqueror

Rom 8:37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

The Christian Conqueror

The character here given to Christ is that which distinguishes him from all others; for he only hath loved us. Others may indeed have loved us; but no one ever did or can love like him, and all other love is such as scarcely deserves the name. "Herein is love! Not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Paul does not speak of Christ by name, but of " Him that loved us," as if there were no other who deserved that character, and as if all other friendships were lost in this. And of all the properties ascribed to the Saviour, his love is the most wonderful, the most distinguishing, and the most endearing. This it is that raises the admiration of the saints on earth - "Who loved me, and gave himself for me." And this it is that fills the joy and triumph of the redeemed above - "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." In the verse preceding the text, the apostle sets forth the difficulties and dangers to which the followers of Christ are exposed. "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." Then it follows, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors;" not only in the things just before mentioned, but in all other things, some of which occur in the former parts of this chapter. We are more than conquerors but neither the victory nor the glory are to be ascribed to us: it is "through him that loved us." Rev 1:3.

I. Christians are described as Conquerors A conqueror is one that overcomes and gains the victory, and this supposes a conflict, or striving for the mastery. So there are several circumstances in the Christian life in which he is thus engaged, and in which he is crowned with victory. 1. Christians are made conquerors at their first conversion, when through grace they obtain deliverance from the power of darkness and unbelief. 2. When grace gains the ascendancy, and particular corruptions are weakened and subdued. 3. Believers are conquerors at a throne of grace. God fulfils their requests, and often exceeds them, as he did those of Solomon. 4. Believers overcome the afflictions and trials of the present life, and such as they are called especially to endure for Christ's sake, and so are conquerors. 5. The saints are conquerors in a dying hour. II. Christians are not only conquerors, but more than conquerors. 1. They conquer those enemies which none besides can conquer, and which to all others would be invincible. 2. The means by which they overcome are such as enhance the glory of their conquests. 3. There is also something in the manner in which they overcome that makes them more than conquerors. Improvement (1) Let not believers be dismayed at any opposition. "A troop may overcome them, but they shall overcome at last." Does the world molest, or Satan exult over the Christian? Even out of the dust he may lift up his head, and say, "Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy; for when I fall, I shall arise." The strong expression in our text is well adapted to excite strong confidence, and the believer may sing with the Psalmist, " The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me in this will I be confident." Ps 27:1-3. (2) The most successful Christian should take heed of pride and self-sufficiency. Let him say with the apostle, "Not I, but Christ who dwelleth in me." We are but striplings at best in the field of battle have no might or power of our own to encounter the great multitude that is coming up against us: Jesus is a great king, against whom there is no rising up. The best of men, if left to themselves, would be in a very unsafe condition. Our conquest over Satan, death and hell, is not by any policy or power that we can exercise, but by the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The comforts arising from our hopes of victory belong to us, but the crown must be placed on the Redeemer's head, and let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord. If we are conquerors, more than conquerors, it is only through Him that hath loved us. The ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: the days of their mourning shall be ended, their warfare shall be accomplished. May it be happiness to join their society, and swell the triumph of that day!

Bless'd is the man, for ever bless'd, Whose trust is in the Lord ; He is of every good possess'd, That 's promised in his word. While he the heavenly path pursues, Amidst a thousand snares, His daily strength the Lord renews, And scatters all his fears. Should powers of earth and hell combine, To make his soul a prey, At once he 'll frustrate their design, Who stronger is than they. Fresh conquests, faith shall still obtain, O'er each rebellious lust; This is the portion of the man, Who makes the Lord his trust. (This hymn appears in some editions. It is 243 in the book.)