THE SECOND CRISIS IN CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
39 -- THE WAY OF VICTORY
Throughout the Scripture the life of a true Christian is
likened to that of a warrior on the field of battle. Paul, in writing to his
son Timothy, exhorts him to "fight the good fight of faith" and to
"endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." The world, the
flesh and the devil unite and conspire against such as have declared their
allegiance to Jesus Christ. In view of these opposing forces multitudes have
concluded they could not live religious lives. The fact that others have gone
down in defeat and failure has discouraged many.
We want to insist, there is a way of victory, and, therefore
there can he no legitimate excuse for failure. Whenever persons backslide they
invariably lay the blame to adverse conditions; some one did not treat them
right, or their environments were unfavorable, etc., etc. We wish to state here
that no persons have ever yet backslidden until they themselves have consented
to backslide. God has made ample provision for victory and has given the pledge
of victory to every one of his children, regardless of the conditions and
temptations that may surround them. Great trials simply make way for great
grace, and the greater the conflict, the grander the victory. In fact, there
can be no victory without a conflict.
There is a way of victory; faith in God and faithfulness
insure victory, always and everywhere. The "whole armor of God,"
according. to Eph 6:11-17, makes the least of God's children invulnerable and
invincible. Not only may we be conquerors, but "more than conquerors
through Him that loved us." (Rom. 8:37.)
In Revelation I. 2:11 we read, "They overcame him
(Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they
loved not their lives unto the death." Entire abandonment to God,
unwavering faith in the blood, and faithful and uncompromising testimony is the
way of victory for every soul.
First, note the intensity of their consecration: "they
loved not their lives unto the death." They were not playing at religion,
nor simply trying to serve the Lord in their "own weak way and
manner," but were ready and willing to lay down their lives for Jesus'
sake. Multitudes are consecrated to do what they feel like doing, providing it
does not mean any self-denial or sacrifice but few, comparatively, are ready to
lay down their lives for Jesus' sake. Real consecration will be true at any
cost, even though the pathway of duty lead through the fiery furnace, the
lion's den, and into death itself.
Second, the blood of Jesus is the meritorious cause of
victory. Satan appears as the accuser of the brethren. But the blood has atoned
for, and covered every sin. Unwavering faith in the blood is necessary in order
to withstand the attacks and accusations of the devil. How often the trusting
heart has put Satan to flight by singing:
"The blood, the blood is all my plea,
Hallelujah! for it cleanseth me."
Satan cannot withstand the blood of Jesus. It was shed for
me, it avails for me; it cleanseth me; this is the language of faith.
"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked."
Third, they stuck to the facts of experience and dared to
bear testimony to the same. It was not by argument, or by theorizing or
dogmatizing, but by "the word of their testimony" they
"overcame." Multitudes suffer defeat because they first compromise at
the point of testimony. Instead of humbly bearing testimony to the power of the
all-cleansing blood to sanctify and cleanse from all sin, they have given some
evasive, indefinite testimony or exhortation so as not to evoke criticism and
persecution, and so lost the victory out of their souls, and soon went down in
defeat. Faith drives the nail, and testimony clinches it so the devil can't
draw it, and ascribes the glory to Jesus that belongs to Him. This is the way
of victory.
The Lord save us from being hot-house Christians, having to
be coaxed and coddled to keep us religious. God has an experience and grace for
every one of us that will enable us to live on the heights, and shout the
victory, though all the hounds of hell are barking at our heels, and all the
powers of darkness combine against us. There are no circumstances with God;
"greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it." There is a way of victory! Hallelujah! "Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you." While Satan is mighty, our God is
Almighty! "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His
throne." (Rev. 3:21.)
