Victory

Without a clearly defined opponent, there will never be victory! Without proper preparation, there will never be victory over Satan’s cunning attacks either.

A wholehearted conversion and the corresponding laying aside of everything that weighs us down and all sin, is a powerful decision and a glorious beginning of a life of sanctification. This leads us into a determined warfare against everything that comes from the flesh. Heb. 12:4. The secret and the power to live a victorious life after making a good start, are found in my daily preparations for the evil day. Eph. 6:13.

My wholeheartedness, humility, and genuine love for the light God sends, and the need, hatred, and zeal I have toward my own sin, desires, tendencies, and all the turmoil that dwells within me—these are absolutely decisive on the day of victory! Is it written anywhere in the Bible that God is not powerful enough and that I need to figure things out on my own? No! “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

The Book of Psalms begins by praising those who are wholehearted, those who have all their delight in the law of the Lord and who meditate on it! Psalm 1. In other words, those who thoroughly prepare themselves to face their adversary—their own sin, which clings so closely to us and must therefore be suffered out—victory by victory! Heb. 12:1.

God desires that the body of sin be destroyed, and that the fruits of the Spirit grow in its place: “. . . love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Gal. 5:22-23. Not only does He desire this, but He also gives us the opportunities we need and the corresponding strength we need in order to overcome, if we seek Him with all our hearts.

What a possibility we have to follow Jesus on this way of victory. Fighting the good fight of faith every day and laying hold of the eternal life that has already been prepared for us in every situation—keeping a heavenly balance—so that we, whose hearts are fully with Him, are always able to carry this out.

Any effort that only goes halfway and that is halfhearted, does not lead us into the kingdom of God—which consists of righteousness, peace, and joy—but into frustration, doubt, and endless worries. “And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’” Rev. 21:6-7.

What a glorious life to live, and what an indescribable eternity awaits all who overcome!