Do you want to win? I'm certain that everyone who answers this question will emphatically say, "yes". I want to help you win. Not a contest or prize, but to win life. Paul wrote, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win" (1 Cor. 9:24, LSB). My aim is to give you some key points that will help you, as well as myself, achieve victory. I pray that this study will help you be victorious. So how can we be victorious?
One thing that comes to mind is to obey God early in life. We should not delay in seeking to be pleasing to God. Solomon wrote, "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days happen and the years draw near in which you will say, “I have no delight in them” (Ecc. 12:1 LSB). Usually, we apply this verse to children, but it also applies to adults as well. We must obey God. Obedience is how we please Him. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is proving our love to Christ. How do we obey Him? The Bible says that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). We must believe that Jesus is deity (John 8:24). We must repent of our sins (Acts 17:30). We must confess His sweet Holy name (Rom. 10:9-10). We must submit ourselves in having our sins washed by His blood through baptism (Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 2:38). We must live faithful even if it means death (Rev. 2:10). I hope that you will, or have done this. I want everyone to be saved. Do you?
Another that comes to mind is to be determined to live above sin. Hebrews 6:1 reads, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God" (Heb. 6:1, LSB). We are to grow into maturity. We are not to remain as a "babe" in Christ. We are to grow (1 Peter 2:1-2). Sin is what caused Jesus' death to happen. Jesus gave His life so we can be set free from sin. Remember the words of Paul when he wrote, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin" (Rom. 6:6 LSB). We are no longer living as our old self lived. We are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Remember that when we crucified the old man, we belong to a new Master (Romans 6:15-23).
Another point that comes to mind is specifically work on all sinful habits. This logically follows the previous point. Overcoming sinful habits do not happen overnight. It takes work. It takes our willingness to overcome. The Hebrews writer warned about the practice of sin:
"For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy by the mouth of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as defiled the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Heb 10:26-29, LSB)
We do not want to "die without mercy". We want to work on ourselves to be the best servant of Christ we can be. I know that overcoming sinful habits is a difficult thing to do. I have to work on myself constantly. God knows your heart and He expects us to do our best. He is also able to help us as well (Heb. 4:14-16).
Another point to dwell on is to fill your heart with God's Word. The Psalmist meditated on it day and night (Psa. 1:2). God's Word provides His plan of salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). Consider how the Psalmist viewed God's Word, "The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, even more than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your slave is warned; In keeping them there is great reward" (Psa. 19:7-11, LSB). God's Word is our lamp to light our path (Psa. 119:105). It is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:`16), and is able to equip for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17). We should long to study the rich Word of God!
Another point to consider is to attend worship regularly. You may not think that this is a big deal, but it is. We should be excited to be with God's family. The more we spend with our church family, the less opportunities for Satan to try and remove us of God's love. Our worship services are opportunities to thank God for His mercy, love, and pardon. It is an opportunity to learn from His Word. It is an opportunity to be edified in singing. It is an opportunity to encourage one another. We must be those who long to be with God's people and not seek to lessen this need. The purpose of our coming together is shown in Hebrews 10:24-25 which reads, "And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Heb. 10:24-25, LSB). We cannot fulfill this without being together.
Another point to mention is to pray daily. Paul wrote that we should "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). Sometimes prayer can be overlooked. It should not be the case that we overlook it. Jesus prayed often. So should we. Consider Hebrews 4:4-16, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:14-16, LSB). Jesus, God in the flesh, knows what it means to struggle. He knows what it means to hurt. He knows us. He died for us and went back to Heaven so He can mediate for us. What a privilege He provided for us. Prayer is us communicating to the Father. It has power, purpose, and a providential answer. Seek to pray, and to pray often daily.
A final point to consider is rededicate your life daily. Paul wrote, "But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal. 6:14, LSB). We should seek to be committed to Christ. This is a daily thing. It takes diligent effort. Our whole heart is involved in this. Consider this, “Commit yourself to Yahweh; let Him rescue him; Let Him deliver him, because He delights in him.” (Psa. 22:8, LSB). If we want to be victorious, then we must be fully committed to Him!
I hope that this article has helped you in your walk with Christ. We all have areas of growth and will continue to grow until life comes to an end. Won't it be wonderful when our lives are over that victory is promised to the faithful child of God? I look forward to this. For this reason, "...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58, LSB). Never see your hard work to obey God as worthless. It will be worth it. You are valueable and so is your work! While the world may not acknowledge it, God does. Keep the faith and may God bless you abundantly!