For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith ~ 1 John 5:4.
Introduction:
Victory is very sweet. Defeat can be a very bitter poison. God is not glorified when you live as a victim of past experiences or of present circumstances. Happily, victory is a uniform banner of every new creation man (1John 5:4).
Rejecting or ignoring covenant victory in Christ Jesus should never be an option. It could be tantamount to a high spiritual crime of personal injury and a great disservice to God’s kingdom. No one can rule from a bottom-level position, neither can anyone call the shots while wriggling, grieving and sulking under the circumstances.
Knowing this above, Satan so virulently attacks the saints to make us more vulnerable to defeat, especially in this end-time, just like any footballer could be on the field of play at “injury time” (1Peter 4:7). He is always looking for a leading light to dim, or turn outrightly into darkness. May you never fall his prey in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Generally, the devil lacks appeal to any sensible mind, especially in his casts of wickedness. Therefore, whenever he targets a destiny for destruction, he often appears in subtleties and disguises – as an angel of light. But, once he discovers that his chances are slim to succeed this way, he wears the garb of a roaring lion, and uses force, intimidation and harassments.
The great piece of good news here is that it is not everyone that the devil can swallow. Those who are sober, focused, vigilant and prayerful are swallow-proof against him (1Peter 5:8). Whenever the devil is resisted, he flees (James 4:7).
The devil is a defeated foe and he knows it. Each time you resist him, he assumes you know it too and he flees. The devil normally chickens out before any believer who knows his or her right in Christ and walks in righteousness. And, any believer who can exercise a steadfast, pure and firm faith in Christ can overpower the devil.
Ours is total victory over sin, Satan, the world and the flesh through faith. However, this faith has to be built in Christ and through Christ alone. Jesus is the only firm foundation, all other ground is sinking sand.
Guaranteeing Your Faith In Christ Alone
Pure faith in Christ can be built by taking your place in the Word of God (Roman 10:17)! You couldn’t determine how and where you were born, but you can choose how you live and die if you place your focus on God’s Word.
We have been redeemed from: troubles (Psalms 25:22); death (Hosea 13:14); sins (Titus 2:14); curses (Galatian 3:13); the enemies (Luke 1:74); afflictions (Acts 7:10); powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13); the wrath to come (1Thessalonians 1:10). This is the truth of our case from the standpoint of God’s Word, no matter the facts of our present experiences.
Your faith in the Word is very pertinent to what you get on earth. The major difference between victors and victims as well as successes and failures is in their focus on the truth of God’s Word, and their heavenly tasks at hand (Hebrews 12:1-4).
Whenever you determine to boldly occupy your place in dominion, God stands on your side and even your simple adventures turn to brilliant achievements. But, once the devil breaks your focus, you become a cheap victim!
Working Our Ways Back To The Redemption Platform
From the foregoing, no doubt, all Christians have been delivered (Colossians 1:13). But, not all Christians are enjoying the full benefits of the redemption because of three major culprits, namely: unbelief, ignorance and ungodliness. If we’re to make progress and enjoy our redemptive benefits to their fullest ranks, we must skillfully engage the veritable tools of the covenant to collar those major culprits.
Firstly, in order to overcome unbelief, you must believe in your Bible identity. Most of our human problems are actually festered by our identity crisis, whereby we fail to discover our real roots in God and firmly believe in it. See, if you don’t know where you are coming from, you may never know where you are going.
Your true origin does not depend upon your color, gender, educational attainments, current achievements, and so on. Those may tell only a bit about you, but never so much about who you really are and where you are actually going.
Your actual origin is in Christ in God (Matthew 1:1). You must be very conscious of this fact: the devil is very helpless in the face of its reality. Discover your dignity and begin to enjoy your status as a victor through faith in Christ (Galatian 3:14).
Secondly, ignorance fades into oblivion when you embrace the beautiful provisions of your new birth in Christ Jesus. You were born again to reign again through Christ (Romans 5:17). You were redeemed to be enriched, and you were enriched to enrich the world around you ((Galatians 3:13-14).
Ignorance is highly punishable in the realm of the spirit (Hosea 4:6; 6:6; 2 Chronicles 15:3,5-6; Job 36:12; Isaiah 5:13; 2 Timothy 3:16). Knowledge enhances fulfilled destiny and remarkable exploits. We were neither called to sweat, nor saved to struggle. It is our very costly disease of ignorance that prolongs stress.
For the avoidance of doubt, the curse of the law refers to the consequences which the execution of the law would inflict upon the law breakers, which include: death, humiliation, sicknesses, poverty, defeat, unfruitfulness, etc. (Deuteronomy 28:15-45). On the other hand, the blessings of Abraham talks of the blessings which Abraham enjoyed through justification: exaltation, fruitfulness, good health, prosperity, being head and not a tail etc.
The believers in Christ are treated to the fullness of the blessings of the seed of Abraham (Romans 4:16). But, all those who refuse Jesus Christ today are yet dwelling under the curse (Matthew 27:25). If you know this truth, happy are you if you act upon it accordingly.
Obedience to the commandments of God is the antidote to the spirit of ungodliness. Ungodliness is a satanic tool that robs men of the grace that sustains progress, but obedience empowers their covenant progress. Obedience was the badge of Abraham, Moses and David. Even Jesus Christ showed us that deadly obedience always paves the way to eternal honor (Philippians 2:5-10).
Obedience means complying with divine orders (Jeremiah 7:23; Acts 5:29). Yes, the Lord is a very loving Redeemer, but to displease Him through a lifestyle of disobedience may be a very costly misadventure. All who violate the laws of God are exposed to its penalties (Galatian 3:10).
Meanwhile, every error defeated by discipline paves a way for great victories. Today, as you stay hooked to God and His royal provisions, may you enjoy a fulfilled destiny round-about, and experience victory in all your vocations, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
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Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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