Choosing The Side of Victory
Life is full of its hardships. Struggles are expected, wars and rumours of wars always seem to be on the horizon. There are ongoing conflicts between nations, communities, and even families. If it’s not a physical battle, it may be a battle of the mind, and internal struggles can cause torment as much as visible ones.
It’s not a doom-and-gloom mentality; a life filled with trials is the reality of living in a fallen world. Jesus made us aware that tribulations are expected in life and that opposition is inevitable, especially for His followers. However, it doesn’t just end there as this information serves as a foundation for further action. We are given knowledge of this reality through God’s Word so we can be prepared and equipped. Jesus made us aware of this, so we are also fully aware that first and foremost, He is the solution.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, NKJV
Jesus offers the answer to all of the world’s pains and toils. He is our source of perfect peace amid life’s storms, and we have victory over every battle as long as we choose to be on His side.
However, what lies on the other side of Jesus? What is the other choice? Who is the opposition?
There are two sides to life, existence and all of eternity: light and darkness, good and evil. And this is not a plot cliché we are accustomed to seeing in movies (although we do likely witness this constant theme of the struggle between good and evil in entertainment, because it is either directly or indirectly inspired by the reality of our existence). The side of God is what is good and pure and is represented by the Kingdom of light. Jesus, who is the Word of God, is a proclamation of this truth:
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. – 1 John 1:5-6, NLT
Darkness is, therefore, what is on the other side of Jesus. Whoever is not on the side of Christ, the one who rescued us from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13), is by default partaking in darkness. It’s a choice we make as we cannot partake in both.
You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. – 1 Corinthians 10:21, NLT
This clear divide between light and darkness compels us to choose a side, and the path we take ultimately impacts our eternal destination. There is an ongoing spiritual war we are placed in while existing on earth that attempts to obscure the realisation of this truth and prevent us from fully embracing the side that benefits us eternally. These are struggles against which physical weapons of any form are powerless.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, NIV
Life is spiritual, meaning there are unseen forces that influence what we experience in the physical world. Therefore, this is not a battle we can take up weapons against and fight in our own power. We must rely on God’s divine strength to counter what is opposed to His will for our lives. Through revelation of the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul clearly communicates the reality of this spiritual world and the ongoing battle around us:
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:10-12, NLT
This illustrates that life is beyond what we can see. Unseen forces can be used to explain what appears to be unexplainable. Whether it’s the struggle to understand why people turn against each other, why the human heart can be so desperately wicked or why health challenges are so prevalent. We are given revelation in the bible that powers in the unseen world are influential to some of these struggles. However, this is not a hopeless realisation. As is a common theme throughout scripture, we are informed of an ongoing struggle and simultaneously empowered with the divine strategy we need to counter it.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. – Ephesians 6:13, NLT
God has provided us with a spiritual armour, the counter weapons we need to stand strong in these spiritual battles. With every piece of the armour equipped, we have authority through God’s power to stand against any evil scheme. The Word of God is highlighted as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and is the only offensive weapon part of the armour. The Word of God is, therefore, key to our victory and is filled with counter-strategies and everything we need to be victorious in this ongoing battle.
The powers of darkness, the enemy, are all that represent what is not of God. And this enemy works in cunning schemes, with the aim ultimately to isolate us from God, His Word, our community of believers, and to strike at our vulnerabilities. Jesus warns, yet encourages:
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. – John 10:10, NJKV
The realisation of the battle around us, the spirituality of life, and the existence of evil forces seeking to destroy us are not meant to create fear in us. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).
Rather, we are informed to be equipped, to remain alert and of sober mind, ready to stand against an enemy who only seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:8). These realities prompt us to remain in the will of God, armed with His Word and ready to walk in the authority we have through Jesus.
Choosing the side of God by accepting Jesus means becoming part of God’s family and partaking in the Kingdom of light. All who believe and accept Jesus have the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Our God, creator of all, is greater than any other being we could possibly face. He is on the side of His children, and if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
So God’s Word is abundantly clear on the battles we face, the spiritual nature of life, the unseen wars that rage around us, and the battle for our souls. God has also equipped us through that same Word with all the knowledge and empowerment we need to overcome in these wars. Indeed, with this revelation, as followers of Christ, in spite of any opposition we may face, we can proclaim that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37).
Once we have realised this victory, we should now desire to share this with others. This is not a secret war strategy that we keep to ourselves. Knowing we have the key to a victorious life through Christ, we can play a role in informing others by sharing this Good News. This will also empower others to live in this world, recognising that regardless of what we face, we serve a God who always triumphs. Everyone who accepts Christ is granted the gift of the Holy Spirit, who then dwells within us. Through this, we are equipped for a life leading to a guaranteed eternal victory, overcoming anything in the world that opposes us as God’s children.
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. – 1 John 4:4, NLT
In conclusion, the bible reveals all we need to know about the unseen war we are in the middle of while we exist on earth. It’s a war that we’ve been placed in since the beginning of humanity and one that influences the eternal destination of our souls. We can take this knowledge and choose the winning side of victory through Christ. We can also work in partnership with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling our role in letting others be aware of this God-given victory.
Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the way to everlasting life in God’s presence. This earthly life will ultimately lead to death for every single soul, perhaps a sobering thought if one has not accepted the revelation and gift of eternal life and victory God has graced us through Jesus. So yes, there will be an end for each of us in this temporary side of life…
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT
The side of victory is the side of Christ. May we all receive and live in the truth, hope and love of this God-given victory. Amen
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