Revelation 3.5 The
one who is victorious will, like
them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from
the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his
angels. – Jesus
In the addresses to the seven churches in Revelation 2
and 3 we find the word, victorious
numerous times (7 times to be specific). As I read Revelation 3 this morning
the word gonged in my mind.
Victorious-ness, or victory is a theme found throughout
Scripture. There is a recurring reminder that victory is to be sought in the
life of one who chooses to align him/herself with God. I would ask: victory over what, and victory to what? When we are saved (however that
plays out in the life of the believer) we are saved both from
something and to something. Otherwise,
what is the point?
Jesus addressed the seven churches and reminded them that
victory was both necessary and possible
in the life of a believer. Victory over sin (we may not be where we want to be
but we are nowhere near what we were…). Victory over unbelief. Victory with
self-control. Victory in walking with the Lord in humility and dependence. And
Jesus said, to the one who does, He will…
Now, Jesus also said, by ourselves (on our own, apart
from Him) we can do nothing (John 15). That means nothing of value in the
battle against sin, self, and Satan. But with Him, we can do all things. That
means there is victory with Jesus in the daily battles of life where we continually
discard worldliness and embrace heavenliness.
Victorious-ness is not a production mentality but a life
lived with Jesus no matter the circumstances surrounding us. It’s the mentality
of: I’d rather go through this with Jesus
than apart from Him on my own. And the reward for such a mentality? Life
with God that will never end.
To the one who is victorious there is great reward.
Today, I think about my life and where I think I stand. I
think I stand in victory, but I think I need improvement. We all do. The
victory I embrace is simply the daily returning to Christ in my heart, mind,
soul, and strength. It is the effort of trying to include Him in everything I
do. The more I do that when there is no wind (of life and its subsequent turmoils)
the more prepared I am wen there is…
I live in a culture of people who don’t embrace victory.
To them the word is old-fashioned and not very important. I get that. But I also
get that there is more to life than what we offer up (as a culture) and call
life. It’s what goes on in the heart. It’s learning how to bring God into
everything I am and do that I may experience His presence and power in all of
it. That, to me, is victory.
Old-fashioned or not, that’s what I want.
Father, the promise
is: The one who is victorious
will, like them, be dressed in white. Jesus will never blot out the name of
that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before You,
our Father and your angels. May it be Lord. Amen
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