“You know,” Stan began one morning, “many Christians spend a lot of time and money on books, videos, and conferences on what is called ‘Victorious Christian Living,’ when it seems to me that all they have to do is read and apply the apostle Paul’s condensed version.”
“Condensed version?”
“Yeah,’ Stan replied, “Paul was a genius at writing volumes in just a few words. I saw this again this morning when I was reading a single verse in the letter he wrote for me as well as for the church in Rome.”
“He covered victorious Christian living in a single verse? Must have been a long verse!” I said with a smile.
“Nope, actually pretty short,” Stan replied. “Paul was writing about Abraham in a way that has a real application for me.”
“Abraham?” I said. “He wasn’t even a Christian. As well, how could something said about someone who lived that long ago have any application to you today? Are you kidding?”
“No,” Stan replied, “I’m not kidding. Paul described Abraham as a person who did not waiver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. One sentence that I think is exactly what I’m to do every day of my Christian life for the time I have left on this side of eternity.”
“So,” I replied, “three steps to victorious Christian living: do not waiver in unbelief, grow strong in faith, and give glory to God. Is that it?”
“Exactly!” Stan exclaimed.
“How does person do that?”
“With the belief part, I am to believe and not be afraid to take my unbelief before God, just as Mark’s gospel says about the father who said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’”
“What about the growing strong in faith part?” I asked.
“That’s what the Christian life on this side of eternity is supposed to be all about,” Stan replied, “pursuing faith by being faithful to Him who is faithful. That is what I’m to do, relying on the faithfulness fruit of the Spirit.”
“And the third part?” I asked.
“This is the part about giving glory to God. Again, I am to do it with every fiber of my being. I am to give glory to God for everything in total thanksgiving for all He has already done for me, as well as for everything He is doing every single day.”
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Bible verses to consider:
Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waiver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17.
Whatever, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . faithfulness. Galatians 5:22.
I do believe; help my unbelief. Mark 9:24.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the truth that you present in your written word. Thank you for showing how you want the life of your servant Abraham to have application for my life. You know and I know how many times I waiver in unbelief, how much I fail to grow in faith, and how often I fail to give you the glory for everything in my life. Please, Lord, forgive all of that. And please lead me exactly as you want so that I believe all you have for me to believe, that I grow in faith as you intend, and that I give you all the glory. Help me to follow your lead. Thank you I can and do bring all of these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Not wavering in unbelief, growing strong in faith, and giving glory to God are at the heart of being a Christian. Do you agree with that? Why or why not? Assuming those three things are the essence of victorious Christian living, how are you doing with them? If not as well as you would like, do you know how to change? Can you do it on your own? If no, what help do you need?
Waiting for the Train 