+DEV+ Promise of Victory

Date: March 10, 2011 2:26 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Promise of Victory

Promise of Victory

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5).
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58

When I was a young Christian, I would sometimes feel discouraged reading about the "victorious Christian life." I knew I fell very short of a sinless, "victorious" life.

Then I heard the story of the lady who said to her pastor, "I have now attained a state of sinless perfection!" The pastor said, "I'm glad to hear it. You must be very proud of that." "Yes," she replied.

No, the secret of victory is in our verse. We trust "Christ in us, the hope of glory" who is our new self to produce His victory. If we look to our old self (which is still kicking) to produce victory, we will be disappointed every time.

Until we are with the Lord in eternity, we rely on His indwelling to keep us from sin. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). Jesus told us to take heart despite our failures because He has overcome the world. It is His victory, and He will produce it in us more and more as we trust in His promises.

Insight: Are you discouraged by the idea of victory? You may have lost battles, but remember the war has already been won on the cross.