Chapter Fourteen

Personal Victory by Good Theology 

        If a Christian wants to have victory in his life he must have sound doctrine.  Doctrine is correct teaching, based upon the Scripture.  This knowledge of God, obtained through the Scripture, enhances the desire of the believer to live in victory and in righteousness.  Notice the purposes given in 2 Timothy 3:16,17 for the giving of the Scripture: 

 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

 The Scripture is for doctrine (teaching) and the proper equipping of the saints (reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, resulting in maturity and preparation for the work of God). That's victory in the Christian life!  This victory is based upon sound doctrine, and the implementation of that doctrine in our lives.  Paul records his understanding of this principle: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).  This is an incredible statement concerning victory in the Christian life.  The victory that Paul expresses is found only in Christ (knowing Christ and power of His resurrection, etc.)  This doctrinal presentation demonstrates the necessity sound doctrine regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Recently, there has been a rash of poor teaching concerning victory for the believer.  The general message has been: "You're a child of the King, and you have and deserve the victory. You should muster up your inner resources and claim the victory."  The Scripture does not say that you can do all things through your inner resources!  It is "through Christ"!!  Wrong teaching in this area gives the believer a false concept of victory, turns him to his own strength, and gives a false pride that actually gives an impetus for failure.  Correct doctrine provides teaching that consistent victory is through the power of Christ.  God wants us to live in victory, but this can only be accomplished by the grace and power of God.

            Victory is the result of God's grace working in our lives as we submit to His authority of the Word of God.  The Apostle John indicated that faith is necessary for complete victory ("this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith"), the Apostle Paul indicated that victory is the result of walking in the Spirit ("walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh"), and James taught that victory comes when we resist the devil and flee from him (James 4:7). However, victory does not come just because we follow rules or formulas.  Victory follows complete submission of our lives to Jesus Christ.  This necessitates faith, and total reliance upon the truth and integrity of the Scripture. Victory is all encompassing, involving every area of our lives.  Total victory in the presence of Christ in eternity is the ultimate reward and victory.  This inevitable victory was purchased by the blood of Christ at Calvary and "cemented" at His bodily resurrection.  Because He lives the sustaining victory is provided by prevailing power and presence!  Individual victory is accomplished by obedience to the principles found in the Word of God (Cf. I John 5:4,5; James 4:7,8,10).  It sounds so simple: walk in the Spirit, have faith, submit yourselves to God, draw nigh to God, cleanse your hands, purify and humble yourself.  It would seem that all the directions are clear, and THEY ARE!  Then why is it that  so many Christians do not have victory in their lives?  They bounce from church to church or don't attend church regularly, refuse to give financially, are backslidden, and very few are seriously interested in the souls of lost men.  Many seem to have no desire to walk in the Spirit and power of God.  But thank the Lord that there are some who have found true happiness and joy in serving Christ!  It is a joyful and wonderful experience to have this kind of victory and faith, and it is attainable!  Don't go through life suffering the consequences of sin - trust the Lord.  See Him as real and working in your life.

            All of these truths mentioned are part of or a result of sound doctrine, and therefore, when heeded, help bring about victory in our lives.  Obedience is the key to the Christian life because it involves faithfulness, submission, and desire to honor Christ.

 PERSONAL VICTORY IS A RESULT OF BIBLICAL SEPARATION

             Abstaining from all appearances of evil and being separating from sinful practices are direct commands of Scripture.  Many "professors of Christ" have never separated themselves from worldliness and sin.  As a consequence they have ruined their lives and the lives of others. Separation is far more important than most believers first imagine and the effects of this sin are subtitle and deceiving.  If we don't recognize God's principles, we will suffer the consequences of our failure.

            We are affected by many areas of life: personal friends, family, employment, music, clothing fads, television, etc.  With all these distractions affecting our lives it is imperative that we focus on the God of the Bible and His Word (wisdom) for us today.  Christians who violate God's Word, go back into the world, and return after some years of failure, say, "It was not worth it."  It is far better to follow God in sound doctrine and separation than waste a many years learning the "hard way" that is not worth it in the end.  I came to know the Lord when I was 15 years old.  The pastor preached the Gospel, but did teach how the importance of separation from worldly living.  As a consequence of not having a life based upon the Bible I never experienced victory in my life.  My life was a waste.  I was 27 years old when I finally learned the principles found in the Scripture and committed my life to Christ.  I wasted 12 years of my life, years which can never be recovered. Those years are lost forever, and the effect of those lost years lost will have consequences on the rest of my life.  Don't give away your life to the enemy of Christ!  Find the real happiness that is only found in the Lord and live a separated life.  Many believe that the separated Christian lives in a legal system of "you can't do this and you can't do that".  The call fundamentalists "legalistic."  It is not legalism to live for Christ and desire to honor the Lord.  Separating from sin and worldliness is biblical and necessary and becomes easy when we live to please God and not man.  I things that I have done in the past, I don't want to do any more.  I have liberty to serve the Savior and follow His Word.  I am thankful that I have learned this important principle of living.  Being a Christian who lives a life of biblical separation makes living easier and more enjoyable.  We need to be separated in a number of important areas: doctrinally, ecclesiastically, and personally.  The Apostle Paul explains separation from false doctrine  in 2 Cor. 6:14-17. 

            It is obvious that the Lord wants us to separate from any ecclesiastical structure which does not honor the Lord Jesus.  It is for this reason that each believer should unite with a fundamental, Bible-believing church.  We should not attend a liberal, compromising, or pagan institution.  The true church is composed of those who are quickened by the Spirit of God, not those who are still dead in trespasses and sins.  We are His "sons and daughters" and as such we are not to fellowship with those who are doctrinally unsound (2 Cor. 6:18).

            We are to also separate personally from sin because of good doctrine (Cf. Romans 6:16-17).  God's people are to remain holy and live righteously in this wicked world.  We are to be servants of righteousness, and our lives should honor the Lord Jesus Christ.  Before we came to Christ for salvation, we were the servants of sin, but He washed us in His own blood.  We were redeemed, made new creatures in Christ, made free from sin and "became servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:18).  This is a wonderful truth.  We are now able, by the power and grace of God, to yield our members "unto holiness" (Romans 6:19).  We are dead to the old trespasses and sins, and alive unto God through Christ.  Because we are freed from the bondage of sin, we can serve the Lord joyfully and live righteously (Cf. Romans 6:22).

            While serving the Lord we are also to walk circumspectly in this present world.  We should not conform to the habits, speech, or fashions of this world,, but we are to be "transformed" by the renewing our mind.  It is a great privilege to walk with the Savior and to please Him.  What a goal in life!  To be able to please the God of the universe should bring a wealth of satisfaction in our lives.  This seems like an impossible goal, but it is not!  How can this be accomplished?  The Scriptures abound with directives, commands, principles, and truth which God desires that we obey.  Obedience to God is the key to successful living for Christ.  These principles, and yes, prohibitions, by God are necessary for the Christian to remain pure and right in His sight.  More important is the desire of our hearts to serve and honor Christ in every area.  Obedience becomes pleasing to the heart of the believer when the desire of his heart is please the Lord Jesus Christ in every word and  action.  We are His purchased possession and we are to honor Him with real thanksgiving and obedience.  One day you and I will stand before the King of Kings and give an account of our life in Christ.  He is the Lord and we must prepare to meet Him at the Judgment Seat.