Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Living the Victorious Christian Life

 


But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE

"Victory! Who doesn’t love the thrill of winning, the joy of a hard-fought triumph? Whether in sports, life, or faith, we all want to experience the elation of victory. When our team wins, we erupt with joy, shouting, high-fiving, and savoring the victory. But when we lose, even though we may be good sports, the sting of defeat lingers. We all crave that feeling of winning—whether in sports or in life.

  But here’s the best part: as Christians, we don’t have to wonder whether we’ll win or lose. In Christ, the victory has already been secured. Every day, no matter the challenges we face, we can walk in triumph because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. 

Victory in Christ!

 Jesus has already won the ultimate victory through His finished work on the cross. He became the curse for us, fully redeeming us from the curse of the Law. His triumph over sin, death, and the enemy is final—and that victory is ours to live in every day.

 Through Christ, we are more than a conqueror. We are not victims but victors in Him. Throughout the New Covenant, we see the keys and the truths we must know to live a victorious Christian life.  

 As always, we must be clear, we are in the New Covenant. I am not inferring there are rules we must keep or tasks we must complete to receive something from God. I’m talking about the principles and truths of the New Creation. When we walk in these, we experience the fullness of our new identity in Christ, leading to a life of victory. Let's begin looking at the victorious overcoming Christian life. 

 As believers, we're called to live a victorious, overcoming life, Jesus and New Covenant writers like Paul, and Peter offer us profound insights into how to walk in triumph while we’re still here on Earth. One foundational truth for living victoriously is wisdom—knowing how to navigate life with godly discernment and making choices that align with God’s plan.

 The Good News is Jesus is our wisdom;

Instead, credit God with your new situation: you are united with Jesus the Anointed. He is God’s wisdom for us and more. He is our righteousness and holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 VOICE

  The amazing truth is that Jesus is our wisdom! Through our union with Him, we have access to the boundless wisdom of God, the Creator of all things. And this wisdom isn’t just for spiritual insights—it’s practical. It applies to every decision, every challenge, and every moment of our daily lives.

 Walk in His Wisdom

 Wisdom gives us the ability to apply knowledge. It is God's knowledge and the know-how to apply it to whatever we face. James tells us we can ask God for wisdom, and He will hear and answer our prayers for wisdom.

 Take note that James didn't teach us to strive for wisdom. He didn't teach that we must earn wisdom. He didn't teach if we perform well enough, God will give us wisdom. No, he said all we must do is believe and not waver. 

 We all need wisdom to manage our possessions and finances better. We all need wisdom when it comes to our health and longevity, not falling prey to fad diets and pills or schemes that supposedly will make us lose fat and be healthier. We all need wisdom to follow God's plan and purpose for our lives and not follow bad counsel or unsound advice. 

 Again, this wisdom has been made available to us through our union with Christ. We can ask and receive wisdom. We can walk wisely in this world knowing as we trust in Him, bring our concerns to Him, and follow His leading, He will direct us toward the right paths.      

  In Christ, we are called to live as overcomers—victorious, triumphant, and filled with the abundant life Jesus promised. But what does this look like practically? It’s easy to say we are overcomers, but when the storms of life hit—when finances are tight, when relationships strain, or when sickness arises—it can be challenging to see ourselves as victorious. 

 Yet, this is precisely when we must lean on the truth of who we are in Christ. We are not defined by our circumstances but by our union with Jesus. Growing in Grace and the knowledge of Jesus is key to walking this victorious overcoming life in our daily life. 

 As we deepen our understanding of Christ’s victory, our faith strengthens, enabling us to stand firm in trials. Through Christ, we are empowered to overcome, not by our strength, but by His grace working through us. The victorious life is one of continual growth in faith, grace, and the assurance of His love and promises.

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay


Monday, October 7, 2024

Thinking God's Thoughts on tradition



Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

 In the modern Church, many believers find themselves grappling with the difference between tradition and truth—and the stakes are high. Jesus warned about the danger of holding on to traditions that make the Word of God “of no effect.”  Many believers cling to comfortable traditions, yet these traditions are often void of the supernatural power of God, reducing Faith to nothing more than ritualistic intellectualism and salvation and right standing and acceptance with God based on performance or good works and behavior. 

 Jesus Himself warned us of this danger, saying, “You nullify the Word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13). But what exactly is this tradition doing? It’s stripping the gospel of its power and shifting the focus from the miraculous life Jesus promised to a powerless religion of human effort and man-inspired intellectualism. 

 This study will challenge traditional beliefs that dismiss the supernatural, reduce the Holy Spirit's power to an ancient event, and make believers settle for mediocrity rather than the abundant life of Faith, healing, prosperity, and grace that God’s Word clearly offers.

Tradition: Faith in Human Experience, Not the Holy Spirit

  Religious tradition thrives on the comfort of predictability. It dismisses the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as either an ancient phenomenon or something only for “certain times” or “special people.” In this mindset, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit—healing, prophecy, miracles—are not for the average believer but are neatly packaged away as part of church history. This intellectualized version of Christianity tells believers that God works more through natural means than by supernatural power today.

 However, this directly contradicts the New Testament. The early Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, turned the world upside down through miracles, healings, and signs. Why would these manifestations cease if the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed (Hebrews 13:8)? The truth is, the Holy Spirit’s power is just as available now as it was then.

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

 The traditional mindset, however, is rooted in unbelief, not Scripture. Rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to move, many prefer a religion they can control and explain. It’s easier to intellectualize the faith, relying on tradition and human effort, rather than yielding to the supernatural power of God.

Religious tradition often presents a comfortable version of Christianity. It’s familiar, non-confrontational, and safe. But this safety comes at a cost. Tradition frequently dismisses or explains away the supernatural aspects of God’s Word—healing, prosperity, and miraculous provision—as “outdated” or no longer relevant.

One reason for this is intellectualism: the tendency to rationalize everything through human understanding and experience. For instance, many Christians look at sickness, poverty, or suffering in their own lives (or the lives of others) and assume that these experiences reflect God’s will. After all, if God is sovereign, He must be allowing these hardships, right? But that’s a dangerous leap, one that directly conflicts with the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Healing and Prosperity: Not Fringe but Foundational Truths

 One of the most contested topics in traditional Christianity is the concept of healing and prosperity. Traditional Christians argue, “If healing and prosperity are part of God’s promises, why are there sick Christians? Why are there poor Christians around the world?”

 The issue isn’t whether believers experience sickness or poverty, but whether these conditions align with God’s will. The Bible is clear—healing and prosperity are part of the promises given to us through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the One who brings those promises into reality.

 Healing: Always God’s Will

The traditional argument that "sometimes God wills sickness" or "God is using this for His glory" directly opposes the truth of Scripture. Sickness is part of the curse, and Jesus redeemed us from the curse (Galatians 3:13). Healing is not something God occasionally doles out—Jesus already paid for it.

- Isaiah 53:5: "By His stripes, we are healed."

- Psalm 103:2-3: "Praise the Lord, O my soul... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."

Sickness never came from God—it was never part of His original design for humanity. Jesus healed all who came to Him, not a selective few. Why would His will change today? Healing is a Bible truth, not a fringe doctrine.

 A core issue with tradition is that it allows experience to override Scripture. When believers don’t see the promises of healing, prosperity, or the Gifts of the Spirit manifesting in their lives or in church gatherings, tradition is quick to offer an explanation: “Maybe it’s not God’s will for you.” However, this perspective puts the focus on human experience rather than what God’s Word declares.

 Jesus never taught that sickness was from God, or that poverty was a sign of spiritual growth. In fact, He healed all who came to Him, provided miraculously, and demonstrated God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

  • John 10:10: Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
  • Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” If Jesus healed, provided, and performed miracles in the past, He still does today.

 Tradition says, “We don’t see these things happening, so they must have ceased.” Truth says, “God’s Word declares these things; our experience needs to rise to the level of His promises.”

 Prosperity: More Than Enough to Fulfill God's Purpose

 Tradition often scoffs at the concept of prosperity, dismissing it as a doctrine of excess.They say If God promises health and provision, why are believers around the world still struggling? Yet, Biblical prosperity is not about becoming a millionaire; it’s about having more than enough to fulfill God’s purpose in your life. God’s promise of prosperity is about sufficiency in all things. The focus is on abundant provision for every good work, not luxury for selfish gain. 

- 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

- Philippians 4:19: "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 Traditionalists point to impoverished nations or struggling Christians and claim, “Prosperity isn’t for everyone.” Again, prosperity isn’t about a specific lifestyle; it’s about having the resources you need to carry out God’s will in your life. Whether you live in a wealthy nation or a poor one, God’s provision is real, and it is supernatural. God is God over all the Earth not just first world nations. 

 Tradition Prefers Works Over Grace

 A key marker of tradition is the constant emphasis on works over grace. Despite the overwhelming evidence in Scripture that we are saved and blessed by grace through faith, tradition insists on adding works-based requirements to maintain favor with God. The Holy Spirit, however, is a Spirit of grace, leading believers into the rest of God (Hebrews 4:3). Jesus has finished the work—our job is to believe it.

- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

- Galatians 3:3: "Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

Many traditional teachings place heavy burdens on believers to perform certain acts to gain God’s approval. Yet the truth of the gospel is this: Jesus has already accomplished it all. Our part is to believe and receive by faith.

Challenging Tradition: The Need for a Renewed Mind

  Breaking free from tradition requires a renewed mind. Many believers are trapped in tradition because they have never experienced the truth of the Word in its fullness. Romans 12:2 urges believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is key to moving from intellectual Christianity—rooted in traditions of men—into the dynamic, supernatural life of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 Tradition keeps believers in a safe but spiritually stagnant place. It resists the supernatural, explains away the promises of God, and denies the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work today. But the truth is clear—God’s power is still available, His promises are still “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and the Holy Spirit is the very life-force of the Church.

 The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are the final authority—not tradition, not human intellect, and not our experiences. As believers, we must be willing to challenge the traditions that have held us back from experiencing the fullness of the supernatural, Holy Spirit-empowered life Jesus promised.Truth will always triumph over tradition, and the Holy Spirit is ready to demonstrate God’s power in your life—if you’re willing to believe.

Image by BAO YI WONG from Pixabay