And what is the secret of such conquest? Here is the secret: "We are
more than conquerors _through Christ that loved us_." It is conquest
through the energy of an imparted love. Nay, it is much more than that.
It is conquest through humble yet intimate communion with the eternal
Lover. You remember what conquests the knights of the olden time could
achieve when they were conscious that love-eyes were fixed upon them in
the jousts. And if this were so with knights of ancient chivalry, when
love inspired them in the fray, how infinitely more must it be so with
the knights of King Jesus' Order when they know that the love-eyes of
the Lord are always fixed upon them in the field! "He loved me" sings
the greatest of the apostolic knights. "He loved me and gave Himself for
me." What tremendous exploits of patience and of service lie latent in
that supreme assurance!
For, mark you, all love conveys the lover to the beloved. The very
secret of love is self-impartation to the beloved. Love can never
content herself with the gifts of things. Charity gives things. Love
always gives herself. Yes, the lover gives herself! And if love is thus
self-giving tell me, then, what inconceivable giving is wrapped up in
the love of Christ for Paul, and in the love of Christ for thee and me?
In an infinitely deeper and richer sense than ever a loving bridegroom
gives himself to his loving bride, our great and gracious Lover, the
Christ, gives Himself to all who will receive Him. The Saviour's love is
the giving of Himself.
Shall I now dare to put that vast and awe-inspiring content into my
text? Listen again to the text: "We are more than conquerors through
Christ who loved us." Now hear it: "We are more than conquerors through
Him who has given himself to us." That word expresses the very gospel of
His grace. The Christian believer faces all his circumstances, not
merely with a love but with a Lover, and with a Lover who Himself
mastered every circumstance, and was the conqueror of sin and death. So
this is how the Gospel music rings: "We are more than conquerors through
Him the Conqueror"! By reverent faith we share His very love, we drink
His very blood, and all our circumstances are made to pay tribute to the
health and welfare of our souls. We are more than conquerors through Him
Who is ever riding forth, conquering, and to conquer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account