Victory in Jesus
By Toni Babcock

Every Christian should make it their habitual practice to pick their battles wisely, to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm on the foundation of Christ. Here are a few strategies helpful in maintaining victory in the cross of Christ.

1.) Don't fight the wrong battles. As believers in Christ, we stand in defense of the gospel and the honor of our Savior. We are not called into the Lord's army in defense of ourselves, our opinions, or our reputations. His will is to be our will, His example our example. Reckoning ourselves "crucified with Christ" means being willing to bear His reproach in this world, keeping in mind Jesus never deserved the reproaches he endured, so we sinners have nothing to complain about.

2.) Immerse yourself in the Word of God. Jesus stands in our defense. It is enough that God is on our side. Believe what He says about who you are in Christ. Study passages such as Romans chapter 7 and 8 and the book of Ephesians. We are approved of God through faith in the gospel. Don't stop witnessing for Christ when people don't believe in you. People don't need to believe in you, they need to believe in Jesus. "What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 KJV).

3.) Honor the Lord by choosing weapons that are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." Spiritual victories cannot be won when bitterness or anger are part of the equation. Practice overcoming evil with good, being tenderhearted and forgiving. We are called to captivate people with Jesus - not with ourselves; to captivate with His power, His love, His obedience, His sacrifice. In doing so, we work toward the goal of "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," (II Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV).

3.) Recognize the triggers. What is it that 'triggers' your wounded self and makes you reactive toward others? Once you understand the triggers you will be better equipped to disarm them. Don't take an adversarial role toward people who oppose you. Instead, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you," (Matthew 5:44). This is Jesus' command.

4.) Stand on the solid ground of the gospel. Satan will attempt to knock us off the solid ground of the gospel. This is always the aim. To foil his scheme, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (Ephesians 6:10-11, 16-17 KJV).

5.) Exercise a double-faith. If you believe Christ died for your sins, than believe He died for your enemy as well, even if your enemy has not yet believed the gospel. It is not up to us to judge who should receive God's forgiveness or not, and it is not up to us to decide who will. All have fallen short of God's righteousness, and all are undeserving. Therefore all are called to extend the grace of Christ's love without conditions. Our sovereign God will call those into His kingdom according to His will, yet we can still maintain the biblically-based faith that "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world," (I John 2:2 KJV).

6.) Finally, make the Apostle Paul's testimony your testimony: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me," (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Toni Babcock is a freelance Christian writer from South St. Paul. She enjoys writing short stories for children and young people, as well as memoirs, poetry and spiritual essays.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS