“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8: 37 NKJV
Who is a Conqueror?
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “Conqueror” is someone who “conquers, one who wins a country in war, subdues or subjugates a people or overcomes an adversary.”
The Greek word for “conqueror” is “nikao”. That is where the word “Nike” comes from. However, Apostle Paul was not just content in calling us conquerors. He added the word “hyper” to the word “nikao”, to make it one word or “hypernikao”. We are more than Conquerors!
In Biblical times, when nations fought wars, the winner did not just defeat another nation. They came back with the spoils of war. That means that they returned richer than when they went into battle, because of all the goods, money and men that they captured and brought back home. They also captured land and territories, so it was a time of expansion.
When Jesus defeated the devil, he drove darkness far away from us. Today, it’s no longer a battle of light against darkness. Remember, when you flip on the light in a room, darkness immediately disappears. Darkness does not contend with light or think of whether it should move or shift. It automatically disappears. That is the power of Jesus over darkness!
No controversy! Jesus is Lord!
Every child of God is more than a Conqueror because of the price Jesus Christ paid for us on the Cross of Calvary. We are “hyper conquerors!”
We love the hymn written by Mrs C.H. Morris (1862-1929) titled:
Conquerors and Overcomers now are we.
“Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we've victory,
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;
Nothing 'gainst his mighty pow'r can e'er prevail.
Refrain:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.
So, who is a Conqueror and who is more than a Conqueror?
To answer this question, let’s use an illustration.
Let’s suppose that there is a boxer who has a wife and is preparing for a big boxing match. He practices every day, and his wife encourages him with words and making the right meals. On the day, that was set for the match, the wife cannot bear to watch him taking blows in the ring, so she decides to stay at home and watch the match on television. The match commences and of course the husband takes some punches to his face, his eyes are swollen, and he can hardly see. At the end of the match, he is declared the winner! His wife is so happy and is jumping up and down at home. Then her husband comes home and gives her the prize money!
You see, the husband is a Conqueror. However, the wife is more than a Conqueror! The husband took all the blows and is a winner. The wife did not throw a single punch, she was not even present at the event, yet she gets to keep the money.
Using this same analogy, Jesus Christ is the Conqueror and our Champion. He took the blows, the slaps, the spitting and shame for our sake. He was nailed to the cross and paid the price for us. On the other hand, we are more than Conquerors.We did not go through all the suffering that Jesus Christ went through, yet today, we are enjoying the fruits of his suffering.
So, what are some of the things that we enjoy because of the price Jesus Christ paid for us that makes us more than Conquerors?
First is the love of Christ. In Romans 8:31-39:
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NKJV
The love of Christ for us is so deep that no amount of trouble or tribulations can make it go away. This is a “now and forever” love. It is not fickle and flaky. It does not abandon us in times of life’s challenges. It is as stable and steady as a rock. It’s unlike human love that can change according to different circumstances, emotions, whims and caprices of man.
Apostle Paul lists some of the human conditions and challenges that a man may face in life. However, no amount of challenges can separate us from the love of Christ.
Even when a believer backslides, the love of Christ will never let him go. It continues to seek him, just as Jesus explained in the parable of the Lost Sheep.
In Luke 15:4-7:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found he lays on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” NKJV
Another benefit available to us because we are more than Conquerors is Eternal life. In John 10:27-30:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch out of My Father’s hand. I and Father are one.” NKJV
In Titus 1:2:
“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” NKJV
Also, in 1 John 5:11:
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” NKJV
Being more than a Conqueror means that we are assured of God’s promise never to leave us nor forsake us.
In Hebrews 13: 5-6:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” NKJV
In Deuteronomy 31:8:
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” NKJV
God’s love is so deep for us that we cannot literally escape from him.
In Psalm 139:7-12:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” NKJV
Finally, being more than a Conqueror means that we have right to fight and win. Yes, Jesus Christ has paid the price, but we cannot afford to be onlookers in the race of life. One thing we are guaranteed is that we will win! God has never fought a battle and lost. Besides, Jesus is a winner man!
The Bible is filled with verses that encourage us to fight. This time, it’s not a physical fight but a spiritual fight. In Ephesians 6:10-18:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” NKJV
We need to know our rights in Christ and stand up for our rights. The victory of the Cross of Calvary must be enjoyed, for we are more than Conquerors!
