| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
If you were asked to name a victorious person, who would it be?
Most likely, you will pick a person who is successful, famous, wealthy, and influential. However, is this the real definition of victory? If so, would we label Bible characters like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Apostle Paul, or even Jesus and his disciples as victorious?
But what does the Bible say about walking in victory? What does victory look like in the eyes of God? If we walk in Christ’s victory, we will take victory over sin and self.
Victory Over Sin
A victorious person takes victory over sin in every area of their life.
What is sin? Sin is missing the mark, the standard of God as embodied in Christ Jesus. Christ has defeated sin; therefore, we can truly walk as victors when we take victory over sin.
Apostle John says in I John 2:12-13, “I remind you, dear children: your sins have been permanently removed because of the power of his name. I remind you, fathers and mothers: you have a relationship with the One who has existed from the beginning. And I remind you, young people: you have defeated the Evil One.”
When we are united with Christ, we share in the triumphs of the cross and resurrection. Satan and sin are defeated, and we can now live in victory.
Victory Over Self
A victorious person takes victory over the self. Sin inverts our direction and focus from God to ourselves. Self is the greatest enemy that deprives you of victory.
It sounds paradoxical because the very self that desires victory, itself poses the greatest hindrance to it. The self always condones what God’s Spirit condemns1. Once we lay down our self that is when we can truly experience victory. The greatest example of this victory is Jesus.
In Philippians 2:5-11, we read that when Jesus emptied himself of all his glory and power, took the form of a servant, humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death, God exalted him and gave him the name above every other name.
Jesus was victorious when he laid down himself to accomplish God’s will. On the cross, he claimed victory over sin, grave and self. He was already victorious, but he died on the cross so that we may understand the power of dying to ourselves.
Walking in Love
A victorious person walks in love. When we embrace the work of the cross and grow in union with Christ, we will walk in love and light. When we walk in love, we will become a sweet fragrance of Christ to those who are dying around us. When we walk in love, we demonstrate to the world that we are true followers of Jesus Christ:
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”2
The greatest virtue we can nurture in our Christian walk is love.
Walking in Light
Finally, a victorious person will walk in the light of the Scriptures. When you are walking in the light, truth will be your greatest passion. You will want to know the truth, follow the truth, obey the truth, speak the truth and above all, love the truth. When you love the truth, you can discern and hate the enemy’s lies.
It is time we quit living a defeated Christian life and start walking in the victory God has already won for us. Remember, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. What is inside of you is stronger than whatever can come against you! Walk in victory every day and glorify His name!
Pastor Samuel Thomas is the Vice-President (Operations) of the IPCNR. He is also the Senior Pastor of The City Fellowship Center, New Delhi.
END NOTES
