We Are To Overcome As Christ Overcame

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for January 17
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We Are To Overcome As Christ Overcame

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. John 16:33.

Satan made stronger attacks upon Christ than he will ever make upon us.
There was much at stake with him, whether Christ or himself should be
conqueror. If Christ resisted his most powerful temptations, and Satan
did not succeed in leading Him to sin, he knew that he must lose his
power, and finally be punished with everlasting destruction. Therefore
Satan worked with mighty power to lead Christ to do a wrong action, for
then he would gain advantage over Him. . . . You can never be tempted in
so determined and cruel manner as was our Saviour. Satan was upon His
path every moment.
Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and
perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His
conflict with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save
man against his will from the power of Satan's artifices. Man must work
with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and
to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ
overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain
by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and
joint-heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone
did all the overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his
own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man
must be a co-worker with Christ in the labor of overcoming, and then he
will be partaker with Christ in His glory.
The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome. All the
temptations of Satan, Christ met with the Word of God. By trusting in
God's promises, He received power to obey God's commandments, and the
tempter could gain no advantage.

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 28.