Editorial August 8, 1964 Issue

Overcoming the World

Helen Wood Bauman

Christ Jesus brought to the world spiritual light, or understanding, and in this way he overcame it. Near the end of his years on earth, he said to his disciples (John 16:33), "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

His overcoming of the world was the Master's reward for his refusal to be deluded by either the glamour or the distress suggested by the carnal mind. He was ready to withdraw from all belief in a material and evil world. He would vanish in a complete spiritualization of thought. He said he would return to the Father whence he came. His life showed humanity the pattern In which all men will eventually rise above the mortal sense of life and find their immortality in Spirit as its image and likeness.

At the beginning of the Master's ministry, the devil material sense—had shown Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them" (Matt. 4:8), promising him the possession of them if he would worship evil. Undeceived, Jesus dismissed the temptation quickly and thereafter was ready to go into the world of matter and sin, distress and decay, and overcome its evil claims. Later the author of Hebrews said of the Saviour that he "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (4:15)

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Improving Leisure Time