"Oh victory in Jesus...." I loved that song growing up. It was fun to sing. I love the idea of being a winner. "And I repented of my sin and won the victory." Well, if I won the victory, how come I still face all these battles? Why is life so hard? What happened to, "come to Jesus and everything will good in your life?" Cause it seem I'm struggling just as hard if not harder than before I accepted Christ. Seems like the "abundant life" I got in Christ was abundant challenges and trials.
After reading through Paul's misadventures in the faith, including beatings, stonings, imprisonments, harassment, etc. somehow my idea of victory in Jesus has changed. If Paul can talk about victory in Christ after enduring all that, there must be something deeper. Understanding what "victory in Jesus" means involves a wider perspective. It implies we're in a spiritual battle that's bigger than us.
Every day of my life I'm engaged in the battle whether I know it or not. Some days the fighting is more intense than others but it's there nonetheless. Paul assures us that no matter what we face in life that if we will stand firm in the power of Christ and His resurrection we will win in the end. Nothing I do for Christ and His Kingdom will go unrewarded in eternity. In fact, the only things that have lasting value are the things we do for Christ and His Kingdom.
The battle requires all of our being. You can't go half-heartedly into battle and expect to win. It means giving everything, heart, soul, mind and strength. "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time will be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair, when the saints of earth shall gather over on the other shore, when the roll is called up yonder I'll be there." Victorious Christian living means engaging in life here and now with the assurance of victory for eternity.
God, some days it's really hard to stay focused on your victory. Some days I just want to give up or just stay in bed. Some days, I'm just really complacent and other days totally oblivious. Help me to live each day by your power. Give me the confidence and assurance to face each challenge and trial and opportunity. Thanks for plunging me to victory beneath your cleansing flood.
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