Victory as a Lifestyle

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Why do we speak of victories, heroes, conquerors, and amazing transformations? We all like to think and dream about changing for the best and gaining victory.

In the universe God created, there was no need for victories. Yes, there were grand achievements to attain, but with no enemies, there is no conquest.

Sadly, one of the highest intellects missed the way. He chose another route and thus became the Opponent. His nature corrupted itself—slowly, but with terrible consequences. His influence confused other minds until “war” occurred in heaven. The terrible battle of good against evil began. Evil lost and was cast out, only to entrench itself here on our planet. Once our race submitted to the evil, human nature became corrupt. “The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7).

E. J. Waggoner once illustrated this sad reality. A nervous man, who was always blaming others, went off and became a monk. Alone in the mountains, he hoped it would be easier for him to be “righteous.” But as he went to the creek for water, the water pitcher slipped and ended up wet and covered with moss. He put the pitcher back, but again it slipped. A third time he laid it on a stone, and the same thing happened. Then he angrily set the pitcher down to “make it understand,” only to see it crash into pieces. Since there was no one else to blame, he finally realized that the evil was primarily inside of him, and that when he had moved away to the mountains, he had taken himself with him. He was still on the battlefield, because the battle was in him. This is more or less the story of each of us. Born in sin, with strong hereditary and cultivated tendencies to obey their suggestions, we find ourselves in this wretchedness. Even when we want to do good, evil is glued to us and we do as it bids (read Romans 7:19, 20). Who will deliver us from this terrible condition?

The good news is the promise of a complete transformation—a total victory! It is not like surgery under anesthesia, but a conscientious fight to deny self and voluntarily submit under the transforming power of God’s grace. “Even as I also overcame,” said Jesus (Revelation 3:21). By faith in Jesus and His merits, under the transforming power of His Word, we are not only counted as winners, we are actually made winners! We gain victory over “the greatest battle that was ever fought . . . the warfare against self!” (Steps to Christ, p. 43). Self—that tremendous pinnacle to be climbed!

May God grant us this transforming experience! Amen.