Victory is not something that we must attain. Lord Jesus is victorious and God gives that victory to us (1 Corinthians 15:57). So how do we work out this aspect of salvation? If you struggle with your experience, if you are flooded with doubt, if your life is like a yo-yo, the following may help:
1. Just die. Who takes a dead thief to court? Who jails even a murderer if he dies before he can be locked up? We need to know that God has included us in the death of Christ. (Galatians 2:20)
2. Be buried. This is the true meaning of water baptism. (Romans 6:4)
3. Realise that you are risen with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
4. Confess and declare these truths (Romans 10:9)
Romans 10:9 is often used as a salvation text. It is also a verse to carry with us as we go through life.
We need appropriate these truths to ourselves; make them our own. We will not avoid trials. however, we will find strength to endure them. It is essential to start the day with these great truths. And we need to remember that it is only true "in Christ". I did a word study of the expression, "in Christ." I got to 50 before I decided that was enough.
God uses trials to prove to us how useless we are in spiritual things. We are prone to imagine that we are self sufficient. Except we are not. I've failed as much as anyone; perhaps more. I still make mistakes. I've locked myself out of my house twice recently. Just as well my wife has good hearing. And God has enabled me to endure trials with joy beyond understanding. One doctor complained that I was not taking my illness seriously. 30 % death rate? Not when God is for you!
Hebrews tell us to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the life of all who are born again. Let Him do the living. That's why He came (John 10:10).
1. Just die. Who takes a dead thief to court? Who jails even a murderer if he dies before he can be locked up? We need to know that God has included us in the death of Christ. (Galatians 2:20)
2. Be buried. This is the true meaning of water baptism. (Romans 6:4)
3. Realise that you are risen with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
4. Confess and declare these truths (Romans 10:9)
Romans 10:9 is often used as a salvation text. It is also a verse to carry with us as we go through life.
We need appropriate these truths to ourselves; make them our own. We will not avoid trials. however, we will find strength to endure them. It is essential to start the day with these great truths. And we need to remember that it is only true "in Christ". I did a word study of the expression, "in Christ." I got to 50 before I decided that was enough.
God uses trials to prove to us how useless we are in spiritual things. We are prone to imagine that we are self sufficient. Except we are not. I've failed as much as anyone; perhaps more. I still make mistakes. I've locked myself out of my house twice recently. Just as well my wife has good hearing. And God has enabled me to endure trials with joy beyond understanding. One doctor complained that I was not taking my illness seriously. 30 % death rate? Not when God is for you!
Hebrews tell us to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the life of all who are born again. Let Him do the living. That's why He came (John 10:10).
