Three Elements of
Spiritual Victory
December 16, 2002
Spiritual victory is a line not a dot. By that I
mean it's a series of attitudes and actions which over time
define who we are. It's not a single attitude or action. If we
drew it on a piece of paper, it would appear as a wavy line that
goes up and down but is always heading in an upward direction.
Sometimes men get discouraged because they say or do something
that's both stupid and sinful. They feel they aren't making
progress. At such times it's crucial to remember victory is a
line not a dot. And ultimately my victory is assured, not by my
determination or effort, but by the one who lives in me.
Galatians 2:20 is my life verse. In it Paul
declares, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me."
The truth of this passage is profound. The power
of the resurrected Christ is present in every believer. Since
this is the case there are three elements that are crucial to
ongoing spiritual victory.
Perspective. I'm a new person. I see my sin
differently. I'm united with Christ, and the power of my sinful
nature has been broken. I don't have to obey its commands any
longer. Like a sailor who has finished his term of duty and is
no longer subject to the captain he used to serve, so I no
longer have to obey the promptings of my sin nature.
Presence. I'm not alone in my struggles. There is
One beside me who knows my weakness and accepts me as I am.
Jesus Christ the slayer of sin and death.
Power. I have the power of the risen Christ living within me. I
don't have to argue or fight against my sinful appetites. I
don't need to resist the urgings of my sinful nature. When I'm
tempted, I can turn to Jesus and utilize his power for victory.
This week I want to urge you to print out this
email and read it aloud until you've learned these three
elements. Once you have them memorized, repeat them aloud and
often. I guarantee that if you'll take this step--you'll see
God's strength unleashed in your life in a powerful and
refreshing way!
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