Introduction: Do you know what it means to live in VICTORY? Contrary to what you may be thinking, it does not mean everything always goes the way we want it to! Nor does it mean living a sinless life. But it does mean, VICTORY in Jesus is always possible and achievable because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension. Furthermore, because of His PROMISES and PROVISIONS we can live above the world, the flesh, and the devil. How you ask, “how does that work?”
Read Romans 6:1-14:
“1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”
1. “Knowing” what our Lord has done FOR us!
(Rom 6:3,6,9)
Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit uses the word “knowing” 3 times in these verses. The word knowing is “γινώσκω, (ghin-oce’-ko), which means am taking in knowledge, come to know, learn: I ascertained, realized. It is not just an intellectual ascent or acknowledgement, but rather it is an experiential lifestyle. In other words, once we really KNOW and then follow the next step (point # 2), we began to FLESH it out.
2. “Reckoning” what He says is TRUTH!
“11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”(Rom 6:11)
Here is where the FACT – “knowing” turns to FAITH – “reckoning”! Literally, the word is an accounting term and means to count on a fact. Put the two together: “Knowing and reckoning” – Since God wants us to KNOW we are dead to sin but alive unto God, through the Holy Spirit, and by the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ACT upon what our Lord has said is true. It is “REVELATION TRUTH,” which goes to APPROPRIATION TRUTH.
How does that work, you ask? Go to the next step.
3. “Yielding” the members of our body, i.e. our mind, will, and emotions, including our eyes, ears, hands, feet!
“12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Rom 6:12-13)
Here is where we cooperate with the REVELATION TRUTH, by APPROPRIATION, and last comes the MANIFESTATION.
Conclusion: If we are not living in VICTORY these days, it is NOT GOD’S fault! HE has made it possible, because He is the God of the impossible….He will make a way when there is no way! This means that not only we experience VICTORY when we get to heaven after we die or when Jesus comes in the rapture, but also this can be ours on a daily basis. Praise our Lord for VICTORY in Jesus! There is always VICTORY in Jesus!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
