God’s Word says plainly that only the over comers in
Jesus will enter Heaven. Our victory is completely contained in Christ.
Unfortunately, only portions of the people in a local congregation are ready to
go. Jesus said: But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. (Matt 25:10 NLT). Only half the people
were ready in this story. When Jesus returns the other half will not understand
that their own indifference, coldness, or lack of concern made them unprepared.
Today there are times when Christians attempt some work for God but are stopped
by the coldness of the people without oil in their lamp. Our
American Church is in trouble and all born-again Christians can see it. Having
oil in our lamps (the Spirit) is what it takes to be victorious.
There are
numerous reasons why churches are failing God. Being nonchalant is not what
Christianity is about. In other words, Jesus is sick of our indifference. In
a message to the seven churches of Revelation Jesus said:
…be diligent and turn from your
indifference. (Rev 3:19 NLT). The Lord’s sheep must be doing exactly what the Shepherd is
telling them to do. We must not be doing our own thing. Someday, He will divide
the sheep from the goats. Once again, only one half the people were ready for
His return. The good news is that the Spirit of Christ can give us victory over
anything in this world. It is much easier to have the help of our church but
the Lord will find a way. Remember that victory is available to every
Christian.
Following
the Spirit is the victory we must have for eternal life. Jesus said: To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7 NLT). Many of
us have been told that every believer gets to go to Heaven. The truth is that a
believer must have a relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the oil in
our lamps. Every Christian today must listen to the Spirit and obey what Jesus
has commanded in order to find victory. Many people like to say, I am under grace and don’t need to do
anything. This is very wrong. A Christian life must include a “constant and
earnest effort to accomplish” our task. We find victory in our life when we are
sincere with our God.
Every day
that Israel was in the desert, the Lord provided their bread without any work. We
will be provided for in eternity without any worries. What a wonderful reward
awaits every over comer: To everyone who
is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in
heaven. (Rev 2:17 NLT). A victorious life should be a priority for every
Christian. Another promise to the over comer: There are some in the church … who have not soiled their clothes with
evil. They will walk with me in white, for
they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. (Rev
3:4-5 NLT). It is time for us to pick up our heads and look for victories
in our lives.
Some
people think there is nothing for them to do in their new life with Jesus. But
we must serve God the way our Savior instructed us. A Christian should know
that our indifference will not be acceptable. Jesus said: So be diligent and turn from your indifference… Those who are
victorious will sit with me on my throne, just
as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:19, 21NLT).
Our attitude is very important when we serve the Lord. In order to serve
others we must overcome anything that is suppressing our love for others. It is
time for us to repent of our indifference and serve the Lord in His victory at
Calvary. Eternal life is our reward and
we should live with this hope.
Think
about some of the benefits. God will protect us from eternal death. The Bible
says: Whoever is victorious
will not be harmed by the second death. (Rev 2:11 NLT). In addition Jesus
said that we would live in a great city with Him: And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem
that comes down from heaven from my God. (Rev 3:12 NLT). This is a double reward
because we will not suffer eternal death but instead will live with God. Every
Church for two thousand years has been instructed to live in spiritual victory
because of what Jesus has provided for us. Let us enter Heaven as an over comer
who lives a worthy life in our Savior.
