No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Everyone likes to win. Even the people in the Bible describes their Christian journey in terms of losing or winning. Paul talks about running the Christian race and winning the crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). In Mark 8:36, Jesus told his followers, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, but lose your own soul?”
Setbacks, or disappointments, or diseases, or death, or spiritual struggles can make some Christians feel as if they are losing or failing in doing their God-given assignment. Thus, we need to be reminded that we already won. God will not judge the believer based on the number of times he or she fails. Indeed, we will not be judged by God’s standard of perfection. For, God’s grace has overshadowed our imperfections. Through Jesus’ righteousness, all believers are made righteous.
More than likely, you and I will experience failure in our personal lives and ministry. Many of the things we are doing or will try to do will not succeed. Notwithstanding the frustration we may go through, we should not forget that we already won.
In today’s text, Paul reminds us that we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. We do not always feel like conquerors. More often than not, we may feel conquered. That is why we have to renew our minds so we can think like conquerors.
Conquerors expect to face resistance in their quest to seize new territory. However, they do not allow the resistance to stop their conquest. Many Christians have to stop giving up on their goals, dreams, and God-giving vision because of resistance. We should not go into an emotional panic because we face resistance. Every successful campaign face adversity. There is no comeback without a setback.
Along the way to winning, we may lose a few battles. Yet we have to be confident that we already won. Granted, it is difficult to feel as if we have already won when we continue to struggle with the vicissitudes of life. That is why we have to encourage one another, so we do not give up.
Do not give up when your efforts are not supported or rewarded right away. It takes time for other people to buy into the vision that God has given you. Do not get offended or upset when you encounter resistance. Remember that whatever you are doing is for the kingdom of God and not for self. Turn every rejection, criticism, and all your frustrations over to God in prayer.
Everything we are doing as followers of Jesus Christ is the icing on the cake. We already won. Because of our faith in the risen Christ, “There is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day—and not only to you but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Because we already won, we have to show grace to those who criticize or frustrate us. We cannot allow their attitude to determine the altitude of our godly disposition or the aptitude with which we do the Lord’s work. Lest we forget, we do not have anything to prove to anyone. We should simply be focused on doing our God-given assignment as we await our crowning ceremony in heaven.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for the victory we have through Christ Jesus. Please help those that are frustrated and discouraged because of the resistance they face in doing your kingdom work.
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