Just because you and I live in a fallen world doesn’t mean that we have to live in bondage. Jesus said we’re in the world, but not of it (John 17:15-16). What makes us so special or different? It is Christ in us who makes us who we are; it is our faith in Him and not our works. Therefore, we have nothing to boast about except Him. In the Scripture below, Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us the key to living a victorious life:
Romans 1:16-17: I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
The key to living in victory, while existing in this present world is to live always by faith. Let’s take a moment to gain a better understanding of what living by faith really means to a Christian. In Ephesians 2, Paul taught us that we are born again by faith. However, just because we’re saved by faith doesn’t mean we stop living this new life by faith. You may ask, “Why are we required to live by faith, and what exactly does that mean?”
Even though you and I are saved, we still have a flesh nature that wants to regain control of our will and cause us to live by sight. This is called walking in unbelief. Israel gave us a good example of what walking around in unbelief does to the people of God. A whole generation died in the wilderness—not inheriting the Promise Land—under the leadership of Moses. So as long as we live in this flesh suit, we must crucify self daily. We accomplish this by faith. As we live by faith, it empowers our spirit man to overcome our flesh nature so that we are able to live a spiritually victorious life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:13 that those who endure this world “until the end” shall be saved. We’re not only saved by faith, but we are to endure this world by faith.
To walk by faith simply means that we look to our heavenly Father and not self to direct our steps. It also means that we keep His commandments because we love Him. The more we love God, the easier it is to obey His commands. Take notice of the priority that I placed on your fellowship before the Word. Anyone can make the Word say what they want it to say. This is called perverting the Word for the sake of personal lust. For this reason, we must also listen to the Father and wait on Him to direct our steps or decisions from His Word. As disciples who follow Christ, we are made accountable to our heavenly Father as we walk by faith. It is this submission of walking and living by faith that gives us power to resist the Devil. As we are submitted to God and resist the Devil, then he has to flee from us. Faith is our victory that overcomes this world. Through faith I am saved, and through faith, I live a victorious life in Christ. —submitted by Asa Dockery, US
daisymarygoldr on June 4, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Powerful! I agree, we’re not only saved by faith, but we are to endure this world by faith “until the end”. In conversations at another site, one lady told me that Matt 24:13 applied only to those living in the future Great Tribulation. This interpretation does not make sense to me. Since the end time tribulation has not yet occurred, and those disciples to whom Jesus said are no longer alive, it is obvious the verse is not about end-time tribulation.
So, what did Jesus mean by His sober words “the one who endures to the end will be saved” and to whom does it apply? This warning of Jesus is for all of us- His disciples living in every church age. End refers to the end of our lives. Truth is, the faith of every believer will be tested by persecutions, temptations, trials, physical suffering or sorrows. And we need to endure afflictions of this world until we die i.e. to be faithful to the point of death.
If we remain faithful even when facing death, we will receive the crown of life and will not be harmed by the second death (Rev 2:10-11). There is so much teaching out there about the different crowns, and it is important to note, the crown of life is not simply a reward. The crown of life represents eternal life. Hence, those who receive it will be saved from the lake of fire which is second death (Rev 20:14).
Contrary to common belief, the crown of life is given not just to the persecuted saints. It will be given to all believers who will patiently endure testing and temptation (James 1:12). In the parable of the good seed, Jesus said those who don’t have deep roots, will believe for a while, but then they will fall away when they face temptation. Apart from Christ we cannot endure to the end in our own strength.
Therefore, we are to persevere in faith and stand firmly rooted in Christ by abiding in Him. Only then we can overcome the defeated enemy to live victorious lives in Christ. God who has called us is faithful and will not allow us to fall. And on our part we must also not deny or depart from faith. The righteous will live by faith and God is not pleased with those who turn away. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (Heb 3:14)
mike wittmer on June 11, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Good words, Asa. You are right that morally speaking this world is the “devil’s turf,” but I also want to add–as I’m sure you know–that Satan is the interloper here. This world belongs to God, and King Jesus has come and will come again to take it back!