Someone said, “Paul was not writing as a speculative theologian. His words here serve as a mini-biography, in that he had already suffered with these trials, except the sword”. Paul is speaking out of the depths of his experience. That ought to encourage us. Now consider why it can be said that we are “more than conquerors”.
I. THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR VICTORY — “more than“
We don’t just win by the “skin of our teeth”. We overwhelmingly over come our enemies. The phrase “we are more than conquerors” comes from a compound Greek word—“hyper” (super) and “nike” (victory). The idea is that we are super victors, super conquerors– able to overcome the stronger most fierce foes possible, the worst situations imaginable. This reminds us that as Christians we are in a warfare. We are called to combat.
II. THE MEANS TO VICTORY —“through Him that loved us”
(A) Through Christ. It is important to realize that we fight from victory rather than for victory. Since Christ has overcome the world we can be of good cheer and great courage, confident that we win (John 16:33).
(B) By faith, rather than human effort.
(C) With good (Rom. 12:20-21)
(D) In “all things”
III. THE MERIT FROM VICTORY
(A) Now–we come out better than before. What we go through refines us.
(B) Later– There are eternal benefits because of it (2 Cor. 4). We receive the spoils of war (Isa. 53:12)
IV. THE MOTIVE
It is all for the glory of God, not personal gain. That’s why we do it with joy!
Although life is difficult we can be conquerors rather than casualties, winners instead of losers, successes instead of failures.
