How can I live a victorious Christian life?
A victorious Christian is one who seeks God and to please Him in all his ways. Victorious Christians know they are loved by God and desire to live for Him as a natural overflow of the love He has poured out on them. The primary key to living a victorious Christian life is faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 tells us: "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." The overflowing effects of our faith in Jesus are what enable us to walk victoriously in our Christian lives.When we place our faith in Jesus, we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit who empowers us for victorious Christian living (Ephesians 1:13–14; Philippians 2:12–13). Having faith gives us the conviction and trust we need to help us stand strong against the evil temptations the world has to offer (Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13). As we seek to know God, through things such as praying or reading the Bible, we learn of His character and His great love for us (Ephesians 2:4–5). Faith in God and knowing His love leads us to fully trust in Him and to surrender our own wills for the sake of obedience to God's instructions. The apostle John describes faith as "the victory that has overcome the world." Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is the key: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:3–5).
It's essential that we stay connected to Jesus so that we stay strong in our faith. He is our life source. John 15 uses the metaphor of the vine and the vinedresser. Jesus is the vine and God is the vinedresser—we are branches on the vine. When we stay connected to the vine, or abide in the vine, we are pruned by the vinedresser so that we may continue bearing fruit. Pruning involves being cut; it may be painful, but it is for a purpose. If we are experiencing discomfort in the spiritual growth process, if we sense God calling us to a new challenge, or if we are experiencing the ridicule of others for the sake of our faith, it is most likely a part of the pruning process. Part of living a victorious Christian life is continuing on in the sanctification process that started at the moment of salvation (Hebrews 10:14).
A victorious Christian life happens in the here and now. Just as Jesus endured suffering, so will we, but when we place our faith in Him, we have the power we need to walk victoriously in our Christian life until we are with Him in eternity (Hebrews 12:2–3; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1–4). Living by faith, we can walk in Christian victory in the present day, knowing that we will be with Christ in the future. We make daily decisions that bring glory to God and prepare us for an eternity with Him.
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How can I come to really know God?
What does it mean to submit to God?
How can I increase in spiritual maturity?
Progressive sanctification—What is it?
Truth about the Christian Life
