Frontline Victories

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

In war, the last place any of us would want to be is the frontline. For some of us, that is what life feels like; like we are continually on the frontline, fending off the enemy's attacks. Oftentimes, when God warns us of coming trials, or we find ourselves in the center of tribulations, the first thing most of us default to is fear. We then go through the process of trying to find the peace that is available to us in Christ Jesus. May I ask a question for all of us to consider? If God promises, and we know, that in Christ we already have the victory, why is fear our first response to trials and tribulations? Think about this...in a physical battle, there is never any certainty who will win. However, in the spiritual world this is not so. In the spiritual realm, Jesus is always the Victor. That means that regardless of what we are called to endure, in the end, regardless of the outcome, in Christ we are the victors! Consider this one verse, John 16:33. It tells us, "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." Note that Jesus promised that there will tribulation. However, notice what He did. He first spoke of His peace, and immediately spoke of being of good cheer, meaning good courage, and finished off with victory. The great news in all this frontline activity is that tribulation is sandwiched in between peace, that is God's peace, courage, and ultimate victory. So, the next time we find ourselves fighting on the frontline, let us enter the battle having the peace of God that passes all understanding guarding our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7), being courageous, knowing that in Christ we will be victorious!

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).