LIVING A VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST
(Write a 2000-word article on a topic related to the New Testament studies)
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
The way a Christian lives will affect the lives of their loved ones and other people. That is why it is of utmost importance to be a victorious Christian. A victorious life does not only impacts but attracts and draws the attention of those around. When we speak of a victorious life in Christ, it does not mean that we will have a life free from temptation or a life of perfection without sinning (I John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us). Rather, it is a life constantly in fellowship with the Lord where we derive peace and joy; a life that is Christ-like and has victory over sins and glorifies God.
A victorious life comes from a true knowledge and understanding of who God really is and our true identity in Christ. We are the children of God held securely in the hands of a loving Heavenly Father. We are also saints, His divine masterpieces and citizens of heaven. Knowing with full confidence of who we are will determine what we do because we cannot possibly consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with how we perceive ourselves. And living a victorious life is not limited to just a few special believers but it is applicable for all Christians. The choice is entirely up to us. We can either choose to follow God’s principles and be assured of a promised victory or we can opt for a life of fruitless struggles, frustrations and despair.
Now that we know what a victorious life is, are we living it? What does it mean by living a life of victory? There are seven strategies found in the New Testament that we need to observe in order to live victoriously through the power of the Holy Spirit, beginning with affirmation of our faith. While many believers are certain of their salvation, some are merely being religious. 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine and test ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.
According to the Word of God, there are three significant steps to affirm our faith, namely to be born again (John 3:5 – Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God), water baptism (Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) and to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11 – But he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire).
The new birth or becoming a Christian is a spiritual experience and in order to grow spiritually, we need to feed the spirit man (1 Peter 2:2 – Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation). This brings us to the second strategy which is reading the Bible. Since the Bible is the primary way of God speaking to us, it is crucial that we must read it constantly to know God’s perfect will for our lives. Matthew 4:4 says that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Reading the Bible will also help us to assess ourselves and know where our standing with the Lord is. (Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart). And in Ephesians 6:17, we are told that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God – our spiritual weapon!
The third strategy to living a victorious life is to be prayerful. There is power in prayer and it is the source of our communication with God. It should be done daily, as often as possible. This helps us to establish an intimate relationship with God. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. And in addition to personal prayers, it is beneficial for us to attend corporate prayer meetings and attend prayer seminars. These will help to strengthen our prayer lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
We are also instructed to pray in the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27 – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God). There are also those who fast and pray together. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating or coercing God into doing what we desire. Rather, it is simply setting our focus on God, draw near to Him and rely on His strength, provision and wisdom.
And the fourth strategy is Christian fellowship. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Fellowship with the body of Christ is critical to our survival as Christians (Acts 2:42 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers). We need to get involved and to practise love toward other believers. And therefore, we need to attend church faithfully to receive the teaching of God’s Word and to be in the surrounding of group worship and praise, as well as equipping ourselves for Christian service. Now that we are members of God’s household, we must remain in constant fellowship with His people in order to develop further into our spiritual maturity.
Very often, we take flight or retaliate in defence when we are being let down or when our feelings are hurt. After which, we harbour grudges and ill-feelings toward those who have disappointed us. The anger and bitterness bottled inside are like cancers that slowly eat us up and eventually destroy us. This leads us to the fifth strategy which is do not become a servant to sin. Jesus says that we are to do more than just tolerate our enemies. As Christians, we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Unforgiveness is the number one source for Satan to have access to our lives. Therefore, we are to forgive and humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up and allow healing to take place. By forgiving, we free ourselves from becoming a servant to sin (Hebrews 12:1-2 – Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith).
The Bible describes sin in Galatians 5:19-21 as sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like and warned us that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Although our sinful nature desires all these things, as children of God, we have to crucify the flesh with all its passions and desires. Galatians 5:25 says that since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
The sixth strategy warns us that it is a spiritual battle we are constantly fighting (Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places). The spiritual warfare we face progress from the sins of our flesh. As such, we need to get past the sins of our flesh and it is only possible when we turn to God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In James 4:7, we are also told to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from us. We are doing spiritual warfare in union with God through the blood of Jesus. The blood of the Lamb will forgive, deliver and protect. Pleading the blood is very important in spiritual warfare (Revelation 12:11 – They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony). As our revelation in the power of the blood increases, so will the authority of Christ.
And lastly, the seventh strategy is pursuing our first love for Jesus Christ. The Christian life is an on-going pursuit of Jesus Christ. It is having a relationship with Him, knowing Him personally, not just knowing about Him but loves Him intimately and sharing that love with others. Somewhere along the way, some Christians got distracted by the things of the world. Their passion for Christ fade off while they are busy pursuing for worldly power, passion and possessions. Revelation 2:4-5 warns us against this, saying, “You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent”. We are to be reminded to love Christ above all else (Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength). If we lose our love for God, we will ultimately arrive at a dead end where the Word of God will no longer be alive to us.
In conclusion, we need to fully rely on God and trust in Him completely. Ephesians 6:10-11 tells us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power and also to put on the full armour of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. The full armour of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. We are also to pray in the Spirit on all occasions and to uphold the Lord’s people in constant prayer.
The key to living a victorious life in Christ lies in us waking up each morning and making the conscious choice to die to self and allow Christ to control our lives. His presence will make a vast difference in our lives and ministries. In His presence, we find rest and draw from His strength. We will not be weary and trials will not overwhelm us for we have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). It is such a comfort to know that God is in control at all times and His awesome presence does not depend on the degree of our faith or on how holy and righteous we are. The only thing required is a mediator for us and He is none other than Jesus Christ.
All glory and praise be to God!
Date written: 1 December 2012
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