Victorious Christian Living

Victorious Christian Living (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Allow me to take you back to Pastor Bill Raws memorial service held last Friday afternoon. Pastor Robert Alderman delivered the funeral message; he is one of my favorite preachers, and I always benefit from his ministry in the Word.

Pastor Raws and Pastor Alderman shared a common love for the Victorious Christian Life message. It has also been the Keswick message for many decades. During his message at the memorial service, Pastor Alderman reminded us of that message with six simple words (at least most of them are simple).

The first word is SIN. For people like you and me to know victory we have to confess that we are sinful people by nature and inclination.

The second word is SALVATION. God, through His Son Jesus, gives us the remedy for our sinful brokenness. Salvation is the forgiveness of sin, the new birth, and the gift of eternal life. Victorious Christian living is impossible without salvation.

The third word is (and this is the not so simple word) SANCTIFICATION.
Simply put, sanctification is the life-long pursuit of growth in Christ.
It is the renewing of the mind of which Paul speaks in Romans 12:2.

The fourth word is SURRENDER. At some point in our lives, we determine that God knows best and we yield control to Him. We say to God, "You take over!" It is the only way to victory.

The fifth word is SACRIFICE. The pursuit of victory brings us to a place where we are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to know Jesus' will and way for our lives.

The sixth word is SERVICE. The natural outflow of God's work in our lives is to serve as Jesus served.

After reminding us of the words of Victorious Christian Living, Pastor Alderman reminded us of a verse Pastor Raws had used in the devotional book published by America's Keswick a few years ago. He used it when talking about how we the live the life marked by these six words. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

The Victorious Christian Life is a life God's grace equips us to live. We are not sufficient, but through grace, God makes us sufficient. Pastor Alderman, using Pastor Raws' words, reminded me that I CAN live the Victorious Christian Life. I thought it important enough to remind all who read the Freedom Fighter. I am going to memorize 2 Corinthians 9:8 this week. Why not join me! - John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

Great Quote: The love of Christ both wounds and heals, it fascinates and frightens, it kills and makes alive, it draws and repulses. There can be nothing more terrible or wonderful than to be stricken with love for Christ so deeply that the whole being goes out in a pained adoration of His person, an adoration that disturbs and disconcerts while it purges and satisfies and relaxes the deep inner heart.---A. W. Tozer

Join us this afternoon for a great concert at 3:00 PM with The Rick Webb Quartet - Southern Gospel at its finest! Our speakers this week are Drs.
Robertson McQuilken and George Murray from Columbia International University. Check out the homepage for details: www.americaskeswick.org