Living Victorious!
“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
John 10:9-10 (NLT)
Do you consider your life to be rich and satisfying regardless of your circumstances? Are you living the victorious life that Jesus is talking about in the above-mentioned text?
There are many who look at their salvation as something that keeps them out of Hell after they die. They see the promises of a beautiful life as being fulfilled only in Heaven. To be sure, Heaven will be spectacular, but Jesus also wants us to have a rich and satisfying life here on earth.
First, let’s talk about three things that this doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean:
- Life will be rainbows and unicorns. “’I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.’” (John 16:33, NLT).
Jesus said that there would still be problems and persecution. In fact, Christians today are often mocked for their faith by a secular world. But Jesus did promise us that we could have peace in those circumstances if we rely on him because he has already overcome this world. - We will be financially wealthy! There are a lot of pastors out there who love to teach what is called the prosperity gospel. The text for this “gospel” is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, where a man named Jabez asked God to bless him and expand his territory. God did this for Jabez, and sometimes he will do this for us too. But this isn’t what a relationship with Jesus is about. In Matthew 6:20, Jesus tells us, “’Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.’” (NLT).
How do we do that? By worshiping God, loving and serving others, and sharing your faith with those who are not saved. - Freedom from temptation. I have known people who thought that, by “getting saved”, they would no longer be tempted to do things that they knew were wrong. This simply isn’t true. As I discuss later in this article, the closer you get to Jesus, the less interest you will have in sin – but you will still be tempted.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us this: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (NLT). God will always give us a way out. We just have to be faithful to take it.
So what does a victorious life look like? If we are truly living for Jesus and focusing on our relationship with him, we can have that abundant and satisfying life. We will have:
A vision of eternity. Author Steven Covey wrote a book called “The 7 habits of Highly Effective People”. The second of those habits was to “begin with the end in mind.” The idea was that if we were to envision what we hoped to accomplish, we would have a purpose and motivation to achieve that end result.
A vision of eternity will have this same effect. If we look forward to an eternal life with Jesus without pain and suffering, we will be more motivated to focus our time here on getting to know our Savior better and spreading the joy of salvation to others. Life takes on a new meaning as you strive to get people on the boat of salvation before it is too late. Understanding that your work will have an eternal impact on others is incredibly motivating.
But a vision of eternity has another benefit. On those days (or months or years) when things just aren’t going right, a vision of eternity reminds you that this isn’t our final home. We can have joy in the knowledge that this life is brief in the context of eternity.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
Keep your eyes focused on eternity with your Savior, and it will have a profound impact on how you live your life here. I have included a suggested meditation below that can help you visualize Heaven and a life with Jesus.
Joy. Many people equate joy with happiness, but the two are very different. Happiness is a situational feeling, whereas joy is a deeper and more consistent way of life and is present regardless of the circumstances.
Here is an example. Let’s say that someone gives you a wonderful gift that you have been wanting for years. Upon opening the gift, you smile and feel a sense of happiness that you received it and that your friend was thoughtful enough to buy it for you. Although you are very happy at that time, that gift is not enough to keep you happy a month later when you are late for a meeting and stuck in traffic.
Joy, on the other hand, stays with you. In Psalm 51:12, King David asks God to restore the joy of salvation after he repented of his sin with Bathsheba. This is the deeper joy of being in a right relationship with God. The world talks about a “harmony with the universe”, but joy comes only from harmony with the Creator of the universe.
In Acts 5:17-42, Peter and the apostles were arrested for teaching the good news of Jesus Christ. After being questioned, they were whipped and ordered to never say the name of Jesus again. In verse 41, it says that the apostles left rejoicing that they were found worthy of persecution because of Jesus! Then they continued to preach the gospel of Jesus. Imagine feeling joy when people are beating you!
This kind of joy only comes from having a close relationship with Jesus. That relationship makes us want to live a life that is in line with the Word of God. Although we are not perfect, we desire to avoid sin because we don’t want to hurt the Savior we love. And when we do sin, we are quick to confess that to him and ask for forgiveness. Then, we can restore our relationship.
If you choose to live your life in contradiction to the Bible – doing what the Bible says is sin – you will not find joy. Your life choices may give you temporary happiness, but you will not gain joy until your sin is confessed and your relationship restored. For a discussion on the topic of sin, see my article “Your Command” in the “Why Jesus?” section.
Peace. ““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’” (John 14:27, NLT). These were the words of Jesus to his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Jesus knew that once he was arrested, his disciples would be scattered and fearful. They didn’t understand the need for the cross or that Jesus would be alive and well a few days later. Even after his resurrection and ascension to Heaven, Jesus knew that his disciples would face immeasurable persecution and, in most cases, death because of their testimony. He said these words to comfort them for all they would endure.
Today, Jesus gives us these same words. As I write this article in July, 2020, the world appears to be spinning out of control. The pandemic, riots, political unrest, environmental concerns, international shenanigans and economic strains have created a melting pot of fear, uncertainty, instability, mistrust, frustration, anger and hostility. The information fed to us changes daily to the point that many no longer know what to believe.
As a Christ follower, I know where to look for truth. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and since God is timeless, his Word is still relevant to us today. I’ve read the end of the book, and I know how the story ends. I can be confident that God knows exactly what is happening and why and that he has a plan for all of this.
By placing my confidence in Jesus, I don’t have to be afraid. I don’t need to let the chaos of the world rule my mind. That place belongs to Jesus. I can be confident that all things will play out according to his will. We can have peace by placing our trust in Jesus and keeping our focus on him.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Contentment. While Paul was in prison, he wrote a letter to a church in Macedonia called Philippians. The theme of his letter was to encourage them to be humble and live in unity with each other. Paul discusses several reasons for disunity, including the desire to impress others, selfishness, covetousness, and pride. Then, in Philippians 4:11, he tells them that he has learned how to be content in all circumstances.
The world we live in is the opposite of content. We are told to constantly work harder to reach higher levels of success. We are told to stand up for our rights and make sure that our needs are met. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements that tell us that we are missing out on something because we don’t have their product. We live in a world of sheer and utter discontent -and it is exhausting!
Please understand that it is not wrong to try to succeed. Doing your best and accomplishing goals are admirable qualities as long as you are doing it for the right reasons. C.T. Studd wrote a poem called “Only One Life” that gives us a very important reminder: “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” The Bible tells us this as well.
But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (NLT)
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
If we are chasing after the things of this world, we will never be content. It is said that when John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money was enough, he responded, “just a little bit more.” If, however, we chase after the Kingdom, our focus changes, and the material things of this world become less important. Then, we can be content, regardless of our circumstances.
Vision and purpose. What is the meaning of life? Many people, even Christians, have pondered this question. King Solomon also pondered this question. The book of Ecclesiastes is a biography of all of the things that Solomon did to try to find purpose. He begins with these words:
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NLT)
How depressing! Solomon was arguably the most successful king of Israel, yet he found life meaningless! The problem was that Solomon was looking for meaning in all the wrong places.
There are two types of purposes that God has for his children. The first is common purpose. All of God’s children were created to worship him, love others, and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless of where you work, live, or relax, this purpose remains. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NLT)
God also has a will for us as individuals. He gave each of us physical, mental, and spiritual gifts that are to be used to fulfill two primary commands: loving God and loving each other. Jesus talks about this in the parable of the “talents” in Matthew 25:14-30. In this parable, the master gives three servants different amounts of “talents”, or silver. Two invested it and made a profit, but one hid it and made no profit. The third one made the master very angry. The story is not about making money for God, but about using our talents to spread the Gospel and grow his Kingdom.
So how do we know what our individual purposes are? You can start by making a list of the talents that God has gifted you. Then start with the end in mind. Consider Heaven and the joy it would bring you to see friends and loved ones there with you. Ask God to let you see the world as he sees it, so that you can better know how to interact and pray. Then, ask him where he wants you to use these talents.
We will talk about this in a later article, but here are two final thoughts. First, the closer you grow to Jesus, the clearer his purposes for you will become. Second, don’t fret over every decision. For example, if you are trying to decide whether to move to Town A or Town B, it may simply not matter, because God can use you in either place.
Better relationships. In John 14:15, Jesus tells us that if we love him, we should follow his commandments. What did he say were the biggest commandments? To love God and to love others.
Love is not a feeling; it is a decision and an action. To love someone means that you are committed to putting their needs above your own. Does that mean you become a doormat or allow yourself to be abused? Not at all. If you are in a dangerous relationship, you need to remove yourself. But, by serving others, God fills us with joy and gives us a sense of fulfillment.
The other benefit to loving and serving others is that relationships improve. Many times, people judge a relationship based on how their own needs are being met. When both parties to that relationship are looking out for their own needs, conflict is very likely to arise. Think about what would happen if each party to the relationship put the other person’s needs before their own. In this case, both parties’ needs are being better met and trust grows.
I cannot guarantee that every time you practice this the result will be a wonderful relationship. In some cases, the results will be minimal, and in rare cases there will be no results at all. The bottom line is that you are doing what Jesus asked you to do in loving others, and he will reward your effort.
Improved self-esteem. How do you see yourself? Do you tend to think of yourself in terms of your strengths or weaknesses? Is your view colored by the opinions of others? Many suffer from low self-esteem, and this will complicate your ability to live victoriously and live out God’s purpose for your life.
Satan will tell us all kinds of things to try to keep us down, so we have to fight back with truth. As a Christ-follower, we are adopted as God’s own children! Further, the church is the bride of Christ! We are loved, and that is all that matters!
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)
When we start seeing ourselves as God sees us, through the redeeming blood of Jesus, we understand that we matter. We are a precious creation of God. Remind yourself of that every time the enemy attacks. When someone tells us we are garbage, smile knowing that God doesn’t make garbage. When Satan whispers to you that you are a sinner who has made terrible mistakes, smile and tell him that Jesus loved you enough to pay the price and now you are redeemed.
I will close with what is probably my favorite Scripture text:
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
More to come! There are many more articles that can be written about this topic, so we will continue to expand this section. Please check back often!
Meditation
Heaven. Find a place and time where distractions are minimized and think about Heaven. Imagine yourself seeing Jesus standing in front of you. He’s smiling and holding his hands out to you. Putting your hands in his, think about the immeasurable joy that you will feel standing face to face with your Savior! Thank him for loving you, saving you, and creating this beautiful place for you.
Now imagine going for a walk with Jesus in Heaven. Who do you see? Loved ones who have passed? Children miscarried? Old friends you haven’t seen for years? Think about this reunion. Here there is no strife or hurt feelings – only love. Imagine talking with them in perfect harmony!
Now take some time to look around. Imagine the beauty of Heaven. Walk down the streets of luminescent gold, and touch the smooth iridescent gates of pearl. Gaze into the pure glistening water that runs through the city. Wonder at the amazing architecture built by Jesus just for us. Turn your gaze to the fields and look at the beautiful flowers in colors you never knew existed. Watch them spring forth in a bouquet of radiance! Walk over to fruit trees. What does the fruit look like? What color is it? What does it smell like? Taste the fruit and experience a flavor that you’ve never known before.
Take some time to simply bask in the gloriousness of Heaven. Listen to the music of Heaven – the voices of the angels and the redeemed all coming together in perfect harmony. Hear the instruments of Heaven. What do they sound like? Raise your voice in singing and praise. Engage all of your senses to take in the signs, sounds, smells, tastes and feel of Heaven!
Now look at Jesus. Ask him what he would have you do today. Ask him if there is anyone who needs your prayers today. And ask him to always keep Heaven at the forefront of your mind.
Songs of Victory
Singing in the Victory – Austin Stone
Victor’s Crown – Darlene Zschech
The Joy of the Lord – Twila Paris
Joy – Rend Collective
I Can Only Imagine – Mercy Me
Resources
For a discussion of Heaven and Hell, please see my article “Worthy” in the “Why Jesus?” section. https://songofvictory.com/why-jesus/worthy/
John Bevere wrote a book called “Driven by Eternity” that compels us to keep our focus on eternity so that we can live a fulfilled life here on earth. Discount on this book, along with several others, can be found here: https://store.messengerinternational.org/collections/books-by-john?gclid=Cj0KCQjwupD4BRD4ARIsABJMmZ8JWzwR7fT3Y5LNvQHDThLephKc8nAQYWDmwCBhE93EO3JmNgeXBB4aAjWtEALw_wcB
“The Difference Between Happiness and Joy” with Trey Hildebrant
https://12stone.com/watch/everythings-fine/difference-between-happiness-and-joy
“What is God’s Purpose For Your Life (And How To Find It)” by Mike Ward.
https://www.cornerstone.edu/blogs/lifelong-learning-matters/post/what-is-gods-purpose-for-your-life-and-how-to-find-it
“How Do I Know God’s Calling for My Life?” with Pastor John.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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