“Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 NLT)
While our ultimate victory in Christ won’t be achieved until we pass from this life to the next, our ongoing oneness with Jesus now, in this life, gives us victory over sin and the hope of eternal life that motivates and enables us to live with hope and wholeness in this life. Does that mean we’ll never sin? Ideally, that’s our goal, but as long as we have flesh and blood, we’ll have the capacity to disobey God.
That’s why we must maintain vigilance in our walk with the Lord, ever sensitive to His leading, His Spirit’s presence working in and through us. But how is that even possible? It’s only possible if it’s our hearts longing and desire. When we determine to intentionally, joyfully, and enthusiastically make Jesus our central focus and center of our desires then everything else will take its place behind Him.
Is it easy? Of course not! Nothing of eternal value is ever easy. Will it take ongoing effort? Absolutely! Perseverance can only be developed through persevering 😊. What constitutes whether I’m victorious or not? How close are you to the Lord? Is your intimacy with Jesus ongoing, moment by moment, or are you constantly struggling to keep your focus on Him? Some teach it’s a “one-and-done” process, but I’ve not found that to be true in my life.
A term that has proven helpful to me is Surrender. Satan will hound us, especially in our mind, to think and ponder things that are displeasing to the Lord, but when we quickly surrender our inability to change our thoughts, the Spirit will intervene and refocus our attention on the Lord’s presence with us whatever we are doing. To me, that’s key, to never lose awareness of the Lord’s presence no matter what I might be doing, whether writing, working around the house, driving, in a meeting, speaking with someone, or anything else.
But isn’t it hard to concentrate on something and be aware of the Lord’s presence at the same time? At first, but over time we can deliberately remind ourselves to seek the Lord’s help during whatever it is. He will give us clues, particularly at a point of difficulty in whatever it is, or when it’s completed, we turn our thoughts to the Lord giving Him thanks for enabling us to finish the call, the project, or whatever it is. A simple question might be, how often would you forget your spouse was in your presence? Or your parent? Child?
Do we always succeed? No, we don’t, at least I don’t. It’s an ongoing process that demands continued effort. Does it get tiring? Not to me, it’s actually invigorating because each failure reinforces my desire to not fail in the future. Is it all on my shoulders? Of course not. It’s a partnership between me and the Spirit. It’s His holiness, not mine; His strength and empowerment, not mine; it’s His nudging and encouraging that keeps me on track.
Trevin Wax gives us insight when he writes: “The victorious Christian life isn’t the sinless life; it’s the repentant life.” Repentance is turning from whatever is causing separation between us and the Lord, whether it’s a thought or behavior, bringing it under submission to the authority of the Lord through believing prayer.
Victorious Christian living isn’t a goal we pursue; it’s a Person we love and enjoy. Jesus IS our life, so to the extent we grow ever closer to Him, to that extent we’ll be victorious in our life as a believer. But just to be crystal clear, victorious living isn’t accomplished through human endeavor, it’s a gift given in full cooperation with the Spirit.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 