Believers should always be distinguishable from unbelievers. Romans 12:2 says as much: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” One primary distinguishing characteristic of Christians is their victory over trials. There is nothing particularly distinctive about trials; after all, everyone—believers and nonbelievers alike—endure them. God’s people, however, are not only assured that their trials will be bearable (see I Corinthians 10:13) but also that God will deliver them (see I Corinthians 10:13 and Psalm 34:17-19). The wicked has no such assurance (see Psalm 32:10). Let’s look at a couple of Biblical personalities to demonstrate this principle of victory.
Genesis 39-41 chronicles the trials of Joseph and his eventual triumph to become the vice-ruler of Egypt. Joseph’s trials began when his own brothers sold him into slavery. That alone would be devastating for most of us. However, “the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man…and his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:1, 2). The Lord was so much with Joseph that he became an overseer in a house where he was meant to be a slave. I like that because it means that God was involved in Joseph’s situation from the onset, and his objective was manifested victory. In other words, Joseph was marked for victory. Because of this one fact, Joseph prevailed through every opposition. In prison, Joseph was put in charge. And in Egypt, a land where he was completely cut off from his family (but not from his God), Joseph became vice-ruler.
The Apostle Paul is another case in point. Perhaps, apart from Jesus, there is no other Biblical character that suffered more than Paul. In the first chapter of I Corinthians, Paul points out, “…As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation…” Our sufferings, therefore, should eventually impact others in a positive way. Yet, Paul, who was no stranger to—and certainly not afraid of—afflictions, placed a greater emphasis on victory. In II Corinthians 2:14, he maintains, “…God always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” Always! To me, that means we should be triumphant over every trial. And Paul makes this assertion throughout his writings.
While he is clear on the fact that affliction is a part of life (and not just for Christians), he is even more adamant that manifested victory—i.e., triumph over trials—is the distinguishing characteristic of Christians. According to Paul, Christians can be troubled but not distressed; perplexed but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Paul’s assertions echo the words of Jesus to his disciples: “In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus admonished his disciples to be cheerful even during tribulations. Notice, however, that they were not to be cheerful about the tribulation but about the promise—the sure word—of victory despite the tribulation.
The bottom line is that there is absolutely nothing we can do to completely avoid trouble, although much of the trouble most Christians experience is self-induced. Yet, we can deliberately focus on the Word of God, which brings victory every time. According to Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower, the real temptation is to focus so much on the trouble that we forget about the Word of God. There is no trouble like the trouble that results from relaxing our stand on the Word of God. The real truth is that there is nothing special about being a victim; in fact, anybody can be a victim. But it takes men and women of strong faith, like Joseph and Paul, to be victors. Isn’t it about time that you become the victor that God created you to be?
God Bless and May you continue to hear his voice.
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