Living Victoriously
Thank you for joining us as Ps Russell digs into the Victory element of our MOVE series.
To dig deeper,
read Luke 19:1-10
This week we discussed ‘victory’ in our series on ‘Love on the Move’. Our key statement in this series states that “love moves as divine mercy intersects with the opportunity of human need, bringing redemptive victory through encounters with Jesus and His Kingdom”.
We began by reading the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, where Jesus’ words and actions released heaven’s victory into Zacchaeus life and the life of his city. As exciting and important as that encounter with Jesus was, it got me wondering… what was life like for Zacchaeus some time later? How difficult was it for him to continue to live in victory when “his friends had became his enemies, and his enemies had become his friends (perhaps), and now nobody trusted him?” What, in fact, did living in victory look like for Zacchaeus several weeks later, and additionally, what does the Bible have to say about living victoriously?
In Romans 8 Paul describes us as “more than conquerors”, a phrase that speaks of victorious living. He says that the Spirit helps us in our weakness; and that trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, or any form of danger cannot separate us from the love of Christ. In fact, God works in all things for the good of those who love him (including those aforementioned troubles)! We are called to not only “conquer” such adversities; they even work toward our good (that Christ be formed in us).
In Romans 12 Paul goes on to describe this overcoming/conquering life… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Be devoted to one another in love; honour one another above yourselves; be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer; share with the Lord's people who are in need; practice hospitality. This is the victorious Christian life - a life where we “conquer” (with the Spirit’s help) adversities such as selfishness, pride and arrogance. All this in the midst of various trials and troubles. This is the calling that Zacchaeus was to live in response to, as are we. Real victory is conquering our old self by putting on the new.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Recall a moment in your life when you experienced a moment of God’s victory in your life. Take a moment to give thanks to God for all he did at that time.
2. Take some time to reflect on how you have previously understood and articulated the victorious Christian life. What does “living victoriously” mean to you? Then, if you have the opportunity, read Romans 8 followed by Romans 12 to get a sense of what Paul is saying about when he says that we are “more than conquerors”.
3. Think of some examples from this past week where it was a challenge to live victoriously. Spend some time reflecting on how you can partner with the Spirit to “overcome evil with good”.
Thanks again for joining us. We pray you were blessed.
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