“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Who doesn’t like to win? I sure do! I don’t think of myself as competitive, but I must confess I do like to win. When I considered today’s verse, it took several times of reading it before I realized something. I noticed two very interesting words in the first part of this verse: “always” and “causeth.”
As I pondered these, I realized that this verse tells me that I don’t sometimes win my spiritual battles, but rather I always win because God “always causeth us to triumph in Christ!” The significance of this is knowing that when I am in a spiritual battle, as long as I am standing with Christ, I’m going to be victorious! ALWAYS! It may not be in the time frame for which I hoped or the way that I had anticipated, but I will win!
Additionally, the victories that God has given me will be made known to those around me as His victories, not mine. How? By my life’s testimony. Not through vain, prideful boasting on what I accomplished, but by a humble acknowledgement of what God did for me to bring me through the trial. When I reflect on Christians I’ve known who have come through great tribulations, their testimonies show that God brought them through every one by His grace, His power, and His love.
Whenever you or I go through periods of trouble or testing, rest assured that people are watching us and how we react, especially if they are not believers. Going through those difficult circumstances with an understanding that God is still with us, in control, and faithful to His promises to us, fills our hearts with thanksgiving, and our living testimony speaks more than our words ever could.
I am never going to lose when I am following in Jesus and God’s will. Never!
I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins, and won the victory.
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.
(from “Victory in Jesus” by Eugene Bartlett)
“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
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“The greatest faith is born in the hour of despair. When we can see no hope and no way out, then faith rises and brings the victory.” – Lee Roberson