TEXT:
In all these things we are more than conqueror through Him that loved us.
Romans 8
.37.
The
Church of Jesus Christ is frequently likened to an army, and we are exhorted to
“endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” and “fight the good
fight of faith.” There can be no victory without conflict and battle. The
greater the battle, the grander the victory. To be a conqueror in all the
conflicts of life means much; but to be “more than conquerors,” means more.
It means that the victories are gained with some rounds of ammunition left, as
in the case of David and Goliath; he slew Goliath with his first round of
ammunition and came back with four rounds of ammunition left, ready for four
more giants. To be “more than conquerors,” means that you take some spoils,
as in the case of Jehoshaphat and his army against the children of
Ammon
,
Moab
, and the people of
Mount
Seir
, where the victory was so glorious it took them three days to gather up the
spoils.
2 Chronicles 20:25
. To be “more than conqueror” means that you are continually taking advanced
ground; that the ashes of your camp-fires will not be found two nights in the
same place.
Such
a life is the privilege of all saints. Note some secrets of this victorious
life.
1.
CONVICTION
Mere
intellectual assent to truth does not make men soldiers. The fellow who believes
just as the last man he met, and is on both sides of the question—is what is
known as a policy man—is no good. He is what Dr. Bresee would call a “putty
fellow” (man made of putty). Like the man, when asked what he believed, said,
he “believed just as the church believed.” When asked what the church
believed, said, “the church believes as I believe;” When asked what he and
the church together believed, he was quite sure they both together believed
exactly the same thing—but did not know what it was.
A
good soldier has deep rooted convictions—really believes some things—and
believes them with all his heart. Convictions divinely inwrought by the Holy
Ghost that Jesus Christ can save from all sin—within and without—is the
contention of our church. Salvation from all sin, is our battle cry.
Sentimental
folk are not the kind that heroes, and warriors, and martyrs are made of.
II.
VICTORY WITHIN
The
“old man” is an enemy of God and an ally of Satan. While he is within he
will betray you into the hands of the enemy. An inward foe is more to be feared
than outward foes. The destruction of inbred sin brings inward rest and victory.
A civil war means the division of forces and leaves the nation a prey to other
powers. One of the advantages of the sanctified life is that “we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities. Against powers,” etc.,
all of which are without. Hence David prayed, “Unite my heart to fear thy
name.” Psalm 86:11. Inward victory is the secret of outward victory. If you
would have victory on the field of battle, you must first have perfect victory
at home, which can only come by being sanctified wholly, and so has the carnal
mind destroyed.
III.
ENTIRE CONSECRATION
Half-heartedness
means certain defeat. A devotion that will gladly yield up all, even life
itself, is one of the essential secrets of victory. True consecration never
stops to count the cost, when once the will of God is made clear. Such men will
take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and rejoice they are counted worthy
to suffer persecution for His sake.
We
are urged to “put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand.”
The first inference is that without the whole armor we may not be able to stand,
and the second inference is that with the “whole armor” we will be able to
stand. This armor will make one invulnerable, and more than a match for Satan.
For description of same, read
Ephesians 6:11
–16. In this armor there is no provision for the back, as we are expected to
keep our face toward the foe. Many are wounded in the back because of
compromise.
V.
KNOWLEDGE OF RESOURCES
To
know that God and all the angels and all the resources of heaven are pledged to
our victory will inspire great confidence. One man with God is always a
majority. “The people that do know their God shall be strong and do
exploits.” “Victory is of the Lord.” (Marg.
Proverbs 21:31
). We ever need to remember that “the battle is not ours, but God’s.” He
will make a highway through the sea, command the sun to stand still, cause the
stars to fight against our enemies, stop the mouths of lions. Quench the fires
that may be kindled, and turn the victory on
Israel
’s side, if we will but trust Him. “Faith is the victory.” Courage is
faith on the battlefield. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by
the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.”
