VICTORY THROUGH FAITH

Our victory as Christians, is through faith in Christ Jesus, who on our behalf, has already defeated the world and its powers or forces of darkness.

Reference: 1 John 5:4 English Standard Version (ESV) "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith."

To be born of God is to have eternal life in Christ. It is being born again. Every born again Christian is a world overcomer. According to referenced Scripture, we overcome the world, meaning that its an ongoing procedure for every Christian. It is the established or official way of living our life or doing anything in life. And the Bible tells us that this victory has a name which is called, "our faith." This is to tell us that there are victories that don't come by faith; they can be gained in a worldly or an ungodly way. So John was careful to address the source, name and kind of victory that overcomes the world.

To be an overcomer in life means that there is a battle or battles we meet in our Christian faith and we win them because we face those battles with the mindset of a victor. Why? It's because they are already won by Christ. Every battle you'll ever meet or face in your lifetime as a Christian is already won by Christ. Your battle simply takes a different description, view and size because each one of us is unique in our Christian walk. Gratefully, Christ Jesus did not leave us weak and defenceless in spiritual battles. He furnished us with spiritual armour that grants us the overall victory and makes us overcomers. No wonder 1st Corinthians 15:57 (NASB) says, "but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." In other words, He supplies it to us on a consistent basis. A battle only comes through you as a channel to reveal the victory of Christ already made available, as you exercise your faith.

Another Scripture, 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) reads, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." Beloved, we are being led captive by God in glorious triumphal procession at all times. Our Christian life is like a parade in which God leads us as His soldiers to overcome every spiritual enemy or battle that comes our way in triumph. And this is the picture Apostle Paul uses: the victories the Roman military soldiers achieved in his days. That was where he borrowed the idea, "triumphal procession" to interpret what God does for every Christian in Christ.

Now watch this: In 2nd Corinthians 2:14, the later part of the verse says, "and through us God reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place" (NASB). In other words, God does not only lead us in a triumphal procession - that's just in a sense. The main reason He does give us victory or cause us to triumph all the time is to accomplish His purpose on earth, which is to register the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. When we exercise our faith in the midst of life's battles and we win them, the world around us sees the victory of Christ and the glory of God revealed in us and through us, thereby drawing their attention to the knowledge of the Christ, who causes us to triumph.

So what should be your attitude as a Christian when faced with any battle or battles of this life? First, have your mind made up that the victory of Christ is already yours even before or in the midst of the battle. Second, exercise your faith in God's Word, put on the whole armour of God, stand firm on the truth and keep speaking the victory language. Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) says, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." This implies that the devil is completely defeated; all He has left are "wiles" which are the devious or cunning stratagems he uses to manipulate or question the truth you know. He also tries to capture and divert your attention from the victory God has already given you. However always stand your ground, and refuse to give up on your victory in Christ. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Ephesians 6:11-18; Romans 8:37; 1 John 2:13-14; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 4:4.

Exuberant Declaration: Great is my confidence in God who always causes me to triumph in every situation. My faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world and the power by which I'm enabled to defeat all the wiles and lies of the enemy. Through the constant fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the Word, I experience the insurmountable victory which Christ Himself has granted me over evil forces and worldly influences. Therefore, I rejoice daily in Christ's triumphal procession which awakens my gratefulness to God. Hallelujah!