Chapter 31—The Victory
Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
.
Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display, but by simple
obedience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. He who trusts in
this Leader will never know defeat.
The largest share of the annoyances of life, its daily corroding cares,
its heartaches, its irritation, is the result of a temper uncontrolled.... The
government of self is the best government in the world. By putting on the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the
troubles which so terribly embitter life might be saved.... The natural man
must die, and the new man, Christ Jesus, take possession of the soul, so that
the follower of Jesus may say in verity and truth: “I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me” (
Galatians 2:20
).
Self is difficult to conquer. Human depravity in every form is not easily
brought into subjection to the Spirit of Christ. But all should be impressed
with the fact that unless this victory is gained through Christ, there is no
hope for them. The victory can be gained; for nothing is impossible with
God. By His assisting grace, all evil temper, all human depravity, may be
overcome.... You may be overcomers if you will, in the name of Christ, take
hold of the work decidedly.
The temptations of Satan are greater now than ever before, for he knows
that his time is short, and that very soon every case will be decided, either
for life or for death. It is no time now to sink down beneath discouragement
and trial; we must bear up under all our afflictions, and trust wholly in
the Almighty God of Jacob.... His grace is sufficient for all our trials; and
although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we
can overcome every temptation and through His grace come off victorious....
When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God and agonize
with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give us grace
and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy.
[40]
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