VICTORY OF THE FAITH

Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (Hebrews 6:1). 

Maturity of the Faith. "Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (Hebrews 6:1). "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). "And we desire each of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 1:11-12).

The Lord Promises a Blessing. “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you. And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:13-15). "We who have fled for refuge (refuge of the Lord's protection) might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:18b-19a). “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 1:10). “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

Will There Be Challenges? “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). “He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’’” (2 Chronicles 20:15). “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His might power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11). “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

Making Every Good use of the Promises. ​“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4).  “That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as light in the world” (Philippians 2:15). “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Is it Worth it, What are These Blessings? “And my God will supply every need of your according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). . “The Lord our God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). "(For) the Lord (will) bless you and keep you; (and) make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; (and) lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).

The Victorious Blessing in the Faith is to Love. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11). "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). " And He said to him, 'you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment (The Law of Jesus). And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-39). “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to be with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18). “But whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him” (1 John 2:5).  

Perfect Love has No Fear: Can we Achieve this? “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty (The Law of Jesus), and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25). “We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them” (1 John 5:18). “You must be made perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20).“Not that I’ve attained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God is Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if it anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:12-15). “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2). "But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you: I have summoned you by name; you are Mine'" (Isaiah 43:1). “For a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

VICTORY IN THE FAITH: Is knowing the only thing we have to do is stand in the battle with the protection of God at hand, the spiritual battle not a fleshly battle; and know the Lord is our God, our defender and He will fight our battles for they’re His battles anyways and He is a mighty warrior; and we are His children whom He will protect and supply all of our needs in Christ Jesus.  

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to stand straight in a crocked world as we love God and love one another allowing Your light to shine through us. AMEN.