Fighting from Victory, Not for Victory
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:15 (NIV)
One of the key truths I want to ingrain in our church is that you don’t fight for victory, you fight from it. Jesus is your King, and He has already won. Your job is to claim new ground. Your job is to stand in the victory that Jesus won. This is why so many Christians lose the spiritual battle—they think it’s up to them. They fail to see that the victory is theirs in Jesus.
In 1863, Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that all slaves were free. The problem was in Texas, where the news had to travel further. It took quite a bit longer for the people there to know the victory had been won, and as a result, they weren’t living as freed men and women. It’s one thing to be freed. It’s another to know that and live that way. So, if the Bible says it, then it's true. If Jesus says it, then it's true. Why? Because Jesus is the one who fought and waged war on your behalf. In the entire book of Revelation, you’ll never see Jesus fighting. His army is fighting, but He isn’t. When He shows up, He operates as a victorious king. He cast down His enemy, but they don't fight Him. He’s already won. When He returns, He comes back as a victorious king, not a fighting king! So, as long as you’re under His will, you’re in His blessing. God doesn’t have favorites. He simply has those who are available and follow Him and those who don’t. When you’re under His blessings, you’re in His victory. You’re covered and standing in His goodness, mercy, love and power. God doesn’t need you to fight for Him. He needs you to walk with Him. The battle has already been won. But to receive the victory, you have to abide in Jesus.
Application: The battles have been won. Your job is to draw near to Jesus.
Prayer: Ask God to help you see Him as He is — a victorious King. Ask the Spirit to help you live in the victory that you have in Him.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?