Mike Dwight’s timely new book is on one of the most important topics of our day, that of being an overcomer in Christ. Subtitled ‘Facing challenges to our faith with understanding and courage’, the aim of the book is to challenge and encourage one another to run and finish the race in what is likely to be dark and difficult times ahead. Holding on in faith and enduring to the end will require courage and tenacity, and this book provides an invaluable aid which will guide and instruct us in the struggles and persecution we are likely to face.

Overview

The book is structured in three sections and, as the title suggests, takes us on the whole journey from being an unbeliever, not knowing Christ at all, to the ultimate objective of standing victorious with him as he returns in glory.

Dwight understands this journey to be in three distinct stages: from unbeliever to believer, from believer to disciple, and from disciple to overcomer. It is the last of these that occupies the bulk of the book. The first two are covered in the shorter first section (chs 1-4). Section Two, entitled Disciple to Overcomer, occupies chapters 5-13, while the final section contains five more chapters on the crucial knowledge and understanding that is required to be an overcomer.

Unbeliever to believer

Section One is important to the book’s overall theme as, according to Dwight, the step from believer to disciple is not automatic and is often ignored in churches who are happy to have people attending without necessarily growing in following Jesus. This results in a form of ‘easy believism’, where faith is seen as a religious cushion without any real commitment to lifestyle change or willingness to submit to the Lordship of Jesus. Without proper discipleship, overcoming is much more difficult and people will more easily fall away.

The step from believer to disciple is not automatic and is often ignored in churches who are happy to have people attending without necessarily growing in following Jesus.

The opening section ends with some questions that challenge us to examine whether we regard ourselves as believers or disciples, as well as what might pull us away from being disciples or make us complacent in this regard.

Believer to disciple

Section Two opens with three more questions, ones which this time the author himself will answer in subsequent chapters. In our journey towards being overcomers, Dwight asks what truths we need to know, what experience we need to embrace, and what obstacles and challenges we need to be aware of. As these are unpacked in the rest of the book, further questions are provided at the end of each chapter to aid personal reflection or group discussion.

A key chapter in this section asks whether we regard our Christian journey as a ride or a race. If it is merely a ride, like getting on an escalator, then overcoming will be seen as unnecessary, but if it is a race (as Paul describes it in his letters) then learning to be an overcomer is essential. Dwight makes it clear that being in a race does not mean we are competing with other disciples for a single prize. Rather each overcomer receives his own crown of life.

If the Christian journey is a race (as Paul describes it in his letters) then learning to be an overcomer is essential.

Falling away

On the matter of falling away, the author avoids dogmatic theology in favour of a balanced understanding of biblical texts. Some of Jesus’s disciples did indeed turn back when it got harder (John 6:66). Dwight stresses there is no need for anyone to fall away. God has done so much for us and is always for us, but we remain free to make those decisions and some do.

The author adds to this from his experience as a missionary in Asia. He has spent over 40 years serving with WEC International in a ministry of church planting and leadership training, especially in Thailand. His book contains many positive examples from his time in Asia, but unfortunately some do illustrate how some believers fall away when pressure is applied. Having seen this in the Far East, Dwight is entitled to ask what might make us abandon the faith, give up the race, or walk in the opposite direction.

One who conquers

The book contains good sections on the role of the world, the flesh and the devil in dissuading us from persevering as disciples. It is vital to realise how these enemies can make us drift away, doubt our faith, and even deny Christ.

The word ‘disciple’ does not occur at all in the book of Revelation, being replaced instead by ‘overcomer’ or ‘one who conquers’. The shift in emphasis is striking.

There is also a chapter on the importance of Revelation chapters 1-3, where Jesus says much to his churches about overcoming. According to Dwight, the word ‘disciple’ does not occur at all in the book of Revelation, being replaced instead by ‘overcomer’ or ‘one who conquers’. The shift in emphasis is striking.

Section Three has several themes, including having confidence in the promises of God, and realising how Jesus’s resurrection changed everything. Being sure, as the apostles were, of what will happen to us at death and of our personal resurrection to new life in a new body will keep us ‘on the way’.

Having heard the author teach on this topic in various contexts and having chatted through some of the points with him in personal conversations, I am glad to see this in print for the benefit of all. It is written with the power that comes from humility and from facing up to these issues personally. The topic of overcoming will become even more important in the days ahead.Dwight challenges us to make being an overcomer a priority. Even if we have a ministry of some kind, we need to be overcomers first and ministers second.

‘Unbeliever to Overcomer’ (175pp) is published by Malcolm Down Publishing, and is available from Amazon for £11.99 (inc p&p)