Marching to victory – Part 1

God wants us to make progress in our spiritual, family, professional, Christian, academic and other areas of life. He wants us to grow in faith, grace, glory and power. The children of Israel were happy to leave Egypt, but faced the challenge of crossing the Red Sea. Then, “the LORD said unto Moses, …speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Exodus 14:15). This is because He is not pleased, when we fail to make progress after redemption.

Just as the Israelites were released from bondage and the rigour of the Egyptians upon their lives, the Lord who saved, sanctified and Spirit-filled believers will grant us victory over the world, sicknesses, sin, self and Satan. As heavenly pilgrims, we should desire progress in our fellowship and relationship with God.

The Lord desires that we maintain constant victory over every temptation and entanglement in the world, and by prayer and perseverance, maintain the peace, purity and power we have. By so doing, the things that defeated or hindered us in the past will be subdued. The children of Israel could have gone into the Promised Land in a few months, but they spent forty years in the wilderness, because they could not confront their enemies. However, Caleb made up his mind to go forward and upward. Thus, he challenged the people “…and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).

It is not the will of God for any believer to remain stagnant in the faith after being born again. Therefore, after repentance and sanctification, we must move on to perfection and “live by faith,” not by the principles, practices and tradition of the society.

Just as a child’s vision and desire is to grow and be like an adult, a true believer’s vision and desire is to grow through prayer and perseverance. Sadly, some Christians remain baby-believers all through their lives. They find it difficult to walk consistently in the way of righteousness. Although such people experience revival and spiritual growth after special programmes like a retreat or revival programme, they soon relapse into their old ways of living.

But Paul the apostle exhorts, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14,15). We must hear, speak, spread, embrace, believe, stand on, take the truth as a weapon and march on to victory through it.

To make progress in our Christian journey, we must speak the truth in love, not in anger, jealousy, bitterness, hatred or pride. Also, we must grow in grace, faith, faithfulness and the consciousness of God. Irrespective of differences in race, profession or status, sanctified saints desire to please only the Lord. Thus, they reject every suggestion from Satan or his agents to do evil. With the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in us, we have victory over Satan, temptation and the flesh. Sanctified believers also love their spouses like Christ loves the Church. They take care of each other and love their children, who in turn honour and respect them.

Further Reading (King James Version): Exodus 14:15; Numbers13: 20; Hebrews 6:1; 10:38,39; Ephesians 4:14,15; 1 John 2:12-14; John 17:17,20-23; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 84:7; Job 17:9; Proverbs 4:18; Song of Solomon 2:15; Ecclesiastes 10:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Kings 13:1-19,24.