Victory on the Outside

What does the word victory mean? A victory is a win! Have you ever seen somebody popular, successful, attractive, driven, sociable, loving, and caring. Does it ever seem like they have it altogether! These are the people that everybody admires. Most people would dream to be in their shoes. These individuals have attained the world's measure of success! However there is more to life! There are people that have all the material goods but are empty inside! The reason why is because all the things they have are temporary and will only lead to instant gratification or a momentary fulfillment. The Bible says in Matthew 16:26 "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

The individuals who glory in their worldly possessions will never be fulfilled because there is nothing real or eternal about worldly things and they will all eventually fail or evaporate. Putting our trust in worldly things and devoting our lives to idols that exalt themselves above God will ultimately lead to Ruin! 1 Tim 6:9 " But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. This is the epitome of a wealthy persons' life without Christ. Placing a high value on material possessions while finding your identity in those things will eventually lead to ruin. In addition it will cause somebody to be unstable. Instability can result from this. When the possessions define you the situation can be risky, such as the first car you were interested in but you decided not to buy it.

Where a mans's treasure is his heart is also. Whatever you devote your life to or give your heart to will control you. In Christ the Lord died on the Cross and it seemed like a total debacle. The Bible says: 2 Cor 8:9 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich." He made himself poor so that we could become rich. Now thats an amazing revelation. While He died on the cross, it seemed like a hopeless effort to help mankind's desperate condition. Jesus' death on the cross appeared far from victorious; how can one of the most tragic events in history be the most triumphant event in history! However he knew He was claiming the victory in the spiritual realm rather than the natural. This is why it seemed like a loss in the natural but a victory in the spiritual realm. What seemed like a loss on the cross was actually a victory because He overcame sin and death and He went to hell where defeated the Devil. Then He ascended and the prophecy came to pass.

Internal joy. peace and love. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you accept Him into your heart where he the Holy Spirit regenerates you and enables you to live without Sin. Three months after I got saved I went to a Christian conference for the youth and I saw God move in a mighty way! As a christian, once you receive Christ you have the victory through Him. Its amazing because we did not die on the Cross but we have the right, honor, and privilege to claim the victory! When you are born again happiness does not come from possessions, career, nor people. The joy we have is in Jesus is remarkable! If we see a homeless person on the street who gave his life to Jesus he is now richer than the billionaire who is sure to have life all figured out. That homeless person has the richness in Christ and is victorious. Meanwhile his economic and social circumstance seemed contrary to victory and it seemed like he lost. He is victorious because he accepted Christ and through Him he was able to claim the victory (over sin and death)and chains were broken. In addition, He was able to have peace joy and a Christ like love! These are all internal victories. Executives in fortune 500 companies experience high stress levels and some have miserable lives with an emptiness in their hearts, meanwhile lawyers and doctors may be depressed because of what they see in their line of work. The custodian may be the most likely to be the one who has it all together
in his soul. When you have gained the victory on the inside the external aspect of victory is not only less evident but less significant.

Alellullia because the Victory is won in our hearts because we accepted Christ who gave hisself on the Cross so we can be fulfilled for eternity. In addition He gave us Life through His words which also exposes another aspect of the victory. A victory makes you fulfilled. The Victory is not found in your present situation neither the item of clothing you just bought nor the school you went to. We are still more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us even when we are going through some trials. For example when I was unemployed I was still victorious and I still had it inside even though I appeared like a loser on the outside. The internal peace and victory was displaying itself. Jesus is the way to show that you can claim the victory without the external seeming pretty! The heart and the soul is much more important than the outward parts of a human being! Thank God for the internal victory we have in Him!

The Battle is already won which is why I am rich in Christ and victorious through him. The world defines wealth and a win when the whole world can observe your accolades. In Christ the true victory is won in humility and its shouldn't be publicized since the Lord will speak for Himself through our lives. In addition He gets all the glory for everything we do in Christ. We were created for His glory! Praise the Lord for his faithfulness! We got the victory in JESUS!

1 Cor 15:55-57 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?[a]”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.