" Victors or Victims"
Part 2 - "For Us"
Many Biblical trailheads offer entrance onto the pathways of our theology, that is, our knowledge of God and understanding of His truth. The subject of this essay offers a primary passage whereby through Christ, we live as victors by viewing our Lord Biblically, rather than being stifled as victims of ignorance and error.
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
Every born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ must be sure that our Heavenly Father is "for us" in the best of times and the worst of times. From being "alienated from the life of God" before salvation to being "accepted in the Beloved" after we believe, our place in the heart of God is secure both now and forevermore (Ephesians 4:18; 1:6). Certainly this does not mean our Lord is for our unbelief and disobedience in times when we wander (I John 1:8). No loving father supports destructive attitudes and actions in a cherished child. Nor do good fathers spare necessary disciplinary action when necessary. "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth and scourgeth… He that spareth his rod hateth his son" (Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 13:24). However, nothing changes the eternally prevailing good will in our Heavenly Father toward His trusting children in Christ. "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endureth forever" (Psalm 106:1).
We do well to build an altar within our hearts whereupon we sacrifice any notion that contradicts God's fixed devotion to our best interests and well being. He forever sees us as united to Christ and justified by the atoning work of our Savior. "By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). To the degree the Lord Jesus was forsaken on the cross of Calvary, believers are accepted in heart of God. We must make this a matter of both principled doctrine and personal conviction. "For us" must become "for me". Our Savior paid too high a price to redeem us for any lesser response to the truth of "so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). Moreover, in practical terms of walking with God, the awareness of His abiding devotion to us motivates and empowers growing devotion to Him. "Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18).
I am reminded of something my mother said to me on several occasions during my childhood. "Glen, I always love you, but I don't always like you." I knew exactly what she meant, and understood her reference to loving me, but to sometimes being less than pleased with my attitudes and actions. While not a perfect illustration of God's sensibilities toward us, I do think my mother's honest admission speaks to our current consideration of being victors rather than victims of our theology. "For us." Few truths more establish confidence, conviction, and consecration to a devoted Father, and to our growing trustworthiness based on His perfect faithfulness to our well being.
"God is for me."
(Psalm 56:9)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
(I Corinthians 3:16)
5816
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