A Daring Faith in a Cowardly World预览

Ruling with Christ as a Victor

The Bible, especially the writings of Paul, is filled with calls for Christians to be victors (Revelation 2:26; 3:21; 21:7). Another word used is overcomers. To be an overcomer is to resist the world’s pleasure, the security of money, the lure of power, the fear of the unknown, the approval of family and friends, and the temptation to be lazy. Winning takes passion, perseverance, and patience.

I can think of no greater example than Winston Churchill. He stood against all odds to fight evil, tirelessly encouraging those weaker than him (which was everyone), never relenting despite the criticism. This is how the victors are to live in Christ. Many in Churchill’s cabinet and Parliament were on his side, but they begged him to make the temporary peace that would have been their destruction. They were good Englishmen, but they weren’t victors.

So it is with us. Many “good” Christians are on our side, but their advice is to seek compromise and take an easier path that would cost us the world. They’d cost us our crowns; they’d cost us intimacy with Christ for eternity. They are our loved ones and friends, our spouses and children, our mothers and fathers. They don’t want to see us work so hard and suffer. They have good intentions, but they can’t see the whole picture. Their eyes are not fixed on victory.

I had a close friend, whom I had discipled for many years, come over one night to get advice. He was in a bad situation that was not of his own making. In tears, he told me an awful story. My heart broke for him, and I had a solution that was not from the Lord. I desperately wanted to give him advice on a shortcut to get out of his situation, but I heard God’s voice screaming in my head to keep my mouth shut.

The situation finally collapsed, and my friend came out of it with great integrity. He suffered an awful trial, never relenting in his trust in God. When it was over, we grabbed some steaks, and I told him about the bad advice I almost gave him. “I know,” he said. “I could see it in your eyes. I know how much you love me and how badly you wanted to give me an easy way out, but I had to go through it to the end.”

“Yeah, man,” I said. “You came to me for godly counsel, and I almost cost you the growth you found in Christ and the rewards you earned by standing so steadfast.” We laughed about it, but my statement was true. My compassion for him almost led me to seek his relief rather than his best.

“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Notice the condition of the promise. We will reign with Him if we’re faithful. Are all Christians faithful? No. Only some will reign with Him. God is looking for saints who will rule and judge with Him. See the verse that starts this chapter. We’re told that we’ll judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). The Father side of God loves all believers as His children, but the King is looking for those children who are worthy to judge His angels and to rule nations.

We’re growing in Christ and proving our mettle now to receive the victor’s crowns and the ability to rule with Christ. Romans 8:17 says that we can be coheirs with Christ and share in His glory if we share in His sufferings in this life. Ruling with Him comes at a great cost in this life but great privilege in the next.

Jesus is the Son of God. We are adopted children. God the Father is looking for children who bear the image of His Son. They seek intimacy with Him by visiting Him in the hospital (Matthew 25:35–36), feeding Him when He’s hungry, and standing for His name, no matter the circumstance (Matthew 10:33). God the King is looking for children to reign with His Son. As a righteous King, He’s only looking for those who have proven themselves worthy of such an honor. He will not trust rule in His kingdom or the judgment of His angels to the mediocre.

In Revelation 3:12, Jesus says, “The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God.”

Are you a victor? Do you love Him? Have you offered all to be close to Him? Is there anything you hold back? Possessions, money, spouse, kids, even your reputation? Would you give all to know Him more? These are the requirements of discipleship—the road to becoming a victor—not of salvation. God says, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). The road is wide for those who would believe but not “share in His sufferings”; it is narrow indeed for those who want the closest of intimacy with Him, but the benefits are eternal. All who believe will be in heaven, but not all will have the same place. Some will be the “greatest” and some the “least.”

The best news is that it’s never too late to start. Moses was 80 before he figured it out. We see it is of great value to have a daring faith in this cowardly world.

Respond

What is a “daring faith”?

Are you living a daring faith? Explain.

Who do you know that needs to know about faith in Jesus Christ?

Prayer

Glorious Savior, I love every day spent serving You—even during the tough times. Send someone my way who needs to experience Your sacrificial love!