How To Be a Real Winner

       Most people in the world today like the idea of winning. The only thing I ever won was some medals for music and a few ribbons for track but that was a long, long time ago.  Our gas station had a gum ball machine in it with some striped balls that if you got one, you could get a free candy bar, but that was just for customers only.   For some, it becomes a compelling force to always be first or to always win whatever they are involved in.  Companies feed on our desire to win with such things as lotteries, sweepstakes and offers you just can't refuse.  It can even be true in the life of the believer.  Things in the Christian life can become competitive to the point that it is more important to win than anything else.  The Scriptures give the formula for winning.  First John 5:5 says, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." 
      The Apostle John used this word, "overcomer" several times in his writings among which are the times that he used the word in the descriptions to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.  The Greek word used in this verse is the word "nikao" from which we get the word "nike."  It is no accident that the manufacturer of an athletic shoe chose the Greek word of "overcoming" or to be victorious.  Now, the fact that the Bible uses the word is not the important issue but what it takes in order to be an "overcomer" in the first place.  Notice that the verse says that we are to "believe that Jesus is the Son of God."  This is what really makes a person a true "overcomer" in the eyes of God.  This is where the difference comes in the life of the believer.  It is not the competitive spirit of being first that make the difference but the fact that a person believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  If you believe that fact and all that it entails, then you will be defined as a true overcomer; a victor; a conqueror.  So, if you are pursuing things in your life in order to come out on top then you are not a victor at all.  You just came in second and didn't even know it.  Stand firm in your belief in Jesus as the Son of God.  That makes you an overcomer.  Praise God today that He can make us a winner, in fact the best winner of all.