(Romans 8:37) “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
“More than conquerors” is a phrase that comes from the Greek word hupernikaō. It literally means “super-conquerors.” The idea is we experience abundant and decisive victory. But isn’t always how things pan out. We definitely don’t feel victorious when life seems to be happening to us. We feel more like a broken down shack barely surviving the beating of a vicious storm. When you’re surrounded by trouble at work, at home, at school, you wonder, “How can I find this victory?” As time goes on and the trials continue, you become desperate to experience this victory.
Experiencing victory isn’t necessarily the same as removal from the situation. Jesus went through beatings and stumbled through the streets of Jerusalem until He arrived at Golgotha. There He was nailed to the cross and died. But in His resurrection we see victory over death and Hell. In order to experience the victory, He had to go through the trouble.
Being “more than a conqueror” isn’t about keeping a “stiff upper lip,” “standing tall,” or “being tough.” This victory is found in living the resurrected life in spite of circumstances. We find it in “through him that loved us.” We live as abundant conquerors when we forgive instead of fight, when we bless instead of curse, when we give instead of take. We are more than conquerors when we live a supernatural life in the face of death. We are more than conquerors when our faith is stronger than trust in self. We are more than conquerors when love becomes the motivation to serve. Jesus overcame this world and now lives a resurrected life. He gives us the strength in Him to do it too.
Renewed Thought –
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
- Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, 1529