FAMILY MATTERS:
Take steps to lead a
life full of victory
___Throughout my life, I've heard a lot about experiencing the victorious Christian life. The concept of victory has been more mystery than fact. Where is
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STEVE SMITH
Minister to Singles
Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano
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the victorious Christian life?
___Developing an attitude of victory in such a performance-based culture can be troublesome. It is important to identify what victory is not.
___Victory is not a once-for-all happening. The victory that is ours in Christ must become for the believer an ongoing process. It is as we walk by faith that victory is realized.
___Victory is not an emotional high. Experiencing victory is not just getting fired up and running around in some manufactured emotional hyper state.
___Victory is not reserved for superstar saints. God intends for the ordinary person to have great victory in him.
___Victory is not an independent activity we have accomplished. There is not one element to the victorious life that reduces it to a single activity or special event. It permeates from within.
___In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the Apostle Paul provides the keys to victory. They are:
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Be proactive. Our lives must be on the move for God. The automobile that is running and moving is far easier to steer than the car that is stopped.
___ Take careful aim. We must have goals that are tangible and real. If we aim at nothing, that is exactly what we will hit--nothing.
___ Show discipline. Great athletes discipline their lives to achieve a prize. To achieve victory, we must discipline our lives to holy living that will position us for the experience of victory.
___ Accept the reward. The reward of God's blessing on a life that is rightly related to him is the best reward of all. It comes as we surrender our selfish ways to the lordship of Christ and begin to experience the victory that being in the center of God's will brings.
___Victory comes from:
___ Spiritual birth. There is no victory in this life or in the life to come without first experiencing spiritual birth. The primary prerequisite for victory is conversion.
___ Faith. Without faith, the Bible tells us, it is impossible to please God. Faith is living as though the Bible is true regardless of our circumstances.
___ Truth. Victory is maintained as we commit ourselves to the truth.
___Victory in Christ has little to do with happiness but everything to do with joy. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is victory that is ours in Christ.
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