Living Principles 7
Victory
As Christians, victory is our inheritance. Two important facts establish our claim to a life of victory:
God can't be defeated (John 16:33; Colossians 2:15; 2 Samuel 22:7-19).
We are in Him (2 Samuel 22:29-36; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 4:4; Rev 17:14).
All the circumstances that we face are used by the Lord to produce in us a relationship of trust and rest in Him (Psalm 37:7). Situations which seem to be overwhelming provide an opportunity for God to display His grace and miraculous power on our behalf. In this lesson, we will study FOUR KEYS which, if expressed in our life, will allow God to reveal His hand right in the thick of our trials and circumstances.
Contents
1. FACING UP TO THE PROBLEM
While we are still on earth, there will always be difficulties - but how do we handle them? Many Christians find it hard to cope with these problems for two reasons:
They don't properly understand their relationship with Christ - and hence they are allowing the enemy to rob them of the faith necessary to release God's victorious power into their situation (1 John 5:4).
Or, on the other hand, they are not willing to be honest - to face their responsibility in the situation. Being insecure in our relationship with God can produce a desire to make excuses. Self justification often blocks God's opportunity to help.
Two factors will help us as Christians face up to the problem at hand. We must:
Be willing to accept responsibility for the problem (Psalm 32:3-5).
Realise that God is able to overcome any problem (2 Corinthians 12:9).
2. HAVING THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
Realising that the Lord is our answer
. . . we have no power to face this vast army . . . but our eyes are upon you 2 Chronicles 20:12 (see also Psalm 62:5; 121; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:10-12).
In any situation, we must first of all realise that our answer is to be found in the Lord. His desire is for us to look to Him for help BEFORE we look anywhere else.
Seeing things from God's viewpoint
We are asking God that you may see things, as it were, from His point of view Colossians 1:9 (Phillips).
When we face problems, we often see the problem highly magnified and distorted. But God sees these difficulties within the much larger framework of our lives. If we allow Him, God can begin to change the way we look at life's situations. Seeing things as God sees them helps us understand why the problem is there, and how to handle it.
Handling the situation from the throne
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:6
When we are born again by God's Spirit (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23), God locates our life in Christ - and our basis of our authority is now in the throne. We can now approach ANY situation in life knowing that we have the full backing of heaven behind us (see Colossians 2:10).
Recognising that it is a spiritual battle
For we are not fighting against people made of \flesh and blood. but against persons without bodies . . . those mighty satanic beings . . . who rule this world Ephesians 6:12 (TLB).
Problems and people often go hand in hand. Many of the difficulties that we have to face arise when someone opposes us. But when we realise that there are spiritual forces working behind many people, we can face the problem - and love the person doing us wrong at the same time.
Knowing that God is at work in the situation
"We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labour), all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose Romans 8:28 (Amp) (see also Psalm 105:16-22; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6; 2:13).
When we have the attitude that God is engineering the circumstances around us (which may be disguised as problems) for our good, then we can rest in Him . . . with complete assurance that He is able to help us in our need (Hebrews 4:16).
3. BEING WILLING TO RECEIVE THE ANSWER
The victory is ours to receive
Firstly, we must DESIRE the victory, and be willing to receive it, Many Christians try to struggle it out with their problems, but the result is defeat. If we are ready to receive God's answer - not our own - then we allow Him to step into our situation ( see Psalm 73:26-28).
The basis of victory is Christ's work, not our work
The Lord doesn't look at what we are doing, but at what Christ has done for us. OUR victory is solely based on Christ's victory on the Cross. The only thing God wants from us is an act of our will in giving the situation over to God in complete trust (see Psalm 37:5-7.18,19,23-24,39-40).
4. TAKING THE BATTLE TO THE ENEMY
Acknowledging Absolute Victory Over Satan Through Christ
" I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me - I am ready to for anything and equal to anything...that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency" Philippians 4:13 (Amp) (see also Romans 16:20; 1 John 2:14; 3:8)
Confessing the Word of God in the face of all circumstances
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23 (see also Philemon 6; Matthew 4:1-11).
Praising the Lord in all situations
I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. l will constantly speak of His glories and grace Psalm 34: 1 (TLB) (see also Acts 16:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
"No, in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through him who has proved his love for us Romans 8:37 (Phillips) (see also Rom 8:38-39).