Spiritual victory is a line, not a dot. By that I mean it’s not a single attitude or action; it’s a series of attitudes and actions which, over time, define who we are. If we drew it on a piece of paper, it would appear as a wavy line that goes up and down, but is always heading in an upward direction.
Sometimes people get discouraged because they say or do something that’s both stupid and sinful. They feel they aren’t making progress. At such times it’s crucial to remember – victory is a line not a dot. And ultimately my victory is assured, not by my determination or effort, but by the one who lives in me.
Galatians 2:20 is my life verse. In it Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
The truth of this passage is profound. The power of the resurrected Christ is present in every believer. Since this is the case, there are three elements that are crucial to ongoing spiritual victory:
Perspective
I’m a new person. I see my sin differently. I’m united with Christ, and the power of my sinful nature has been broken. I don’t have to obey its commands any longer. Like a sailor who has finished his term of duty and is no longer subject to the captain he used to serve, so I no longer have to obey the promptings of my sin nature.
Presence
I’m not alone in my struggles. There is one beside me who knows my weakness and accepts me as I am. He is Jesus Christ, the slayer of sin and death.
Power
I have the power of the risen Christ living within me. I don’t have to argue or fight against my sinful appetites. I don’t need to resist the urgings of my sinful nature. When I’m tempted, I can turn to Jesus and utilize his power for victory.
This week I want to urge you to print out this email and read it aloud until you’ve learned these three elements. Once you have them memorized, repeat them aloud and often. I guarantee that if you’ll take this step, you’ll see God’s strength unleashed in your life in a powerful and refreshing way.
Just wanted Bill to know that I look forward to his email every Thursday. God uses him to speak directly to what my heart needs almost every week. Last weeks message prompted me to forward the link and write an apology to my wife and open communication about things from the past. I often quote from these letters at my growth group which also happends to be on Thursdays. Anyway I just wanted to thank him for inspiring me to be the man God created me to be.
Bill:
Just pasted your 3Ps into my “Reading” file. Great stuff! God has changed you! He’s doing a great work in you. I’m convinced that what has happened through “The Jesus Experiment” in you will work through you for great Kingdom advancement.
Sunday I watched Andy Stanley’s Northpoint service. He’s in the midst of a series called, “Free”. He’s using Romans 5-7. Sunday he urged people to repeatedly say out loud, “Sin is not my master.” Romans 6:13-ish, I think. I know I need to be set “free”. I don’t have to sin…and yet I can’t “do” this on my own. It is only because of Galatians 2:20 is true that there is hope not to sin. Colossians 1 talks about, “Christ in you. The hope of glory.” He is our hope!
Thanks Bill!
Mark