ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 

I have always found it interesting how many Christians have this verse memorized yet exclude the first word "No", as well as the previous passage (verse 36): "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." So let me pose a question: "How can sheep to be slaughtered be more than conquerors?" The answer: Because we receive assistance from another (Jesus), who gets the victory for us and never lets us experience defeat. We just have to remember -- the victory belongs to Jesus -- not to us.

One might then ask, "What is our purpose? Aren't we to be soldiers for Jesus? Aren't we to bring salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16)?" The other day my wife and I went out for lunch. I ordered soup and a salad. When the soup came, after one taste I thought it needed a little more salt. So I grabbed the salt shaker to give it a sprinkle. Instead the top came off and the entire contents spilled into my bowl. A little salt is perfect; too much salt, and it ruins the soup. The same is true of light. A little light illuminates the room; too much light and it becomes blindingly uncomfortable. We Christians should pay attention as we bring salt and light into the world.

As sheep we are to be more than conquerors (Jesus does the conquering): salt that's sprinkled to add flavor and create thirst, and bringers of light to a dark and sin-filled world. However, if we don't clearly understand what this means, then our Christian experience will be full of frustration and disillusionment. You see, from the world's point of view we never win. We're not conquerors; we're more than conquerors.

 

Are you on a winning or losing streak? For whose glory do you battle? Yours or the Lord's? If you recounted your top five victories in life's battles -- how many brought glory to Jesus? Who deserves the credit?

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