Author: 杨明道 Yang Mingdao

When a disciple follows the Lord, he faces greats temptations. We can categorize these temptations into two types. The first teaches you how to say “no” to the world. When temptations of the world come along, you must have the courage to say, “No!” The greater challenge is the other type of temptation; to have the courage to say “yes” to all the things that God has placed before you. You must not only say “yes” in your speech, but also in your actions.

Your life here, now, consists of dying victoriously, not as a failure. You are a victor. It is not your abilities that make you a victor. You are a victor because you belong to Jesus. Jesus accomplished all of this on the cross. He made us victors. He counts his victory as our victory. This world is full of failure, and this world tells you every day that you are a failure. But the Lord says, “Remember, I was crucified.” Paul told the disciples of his generation, “Does not the crucifixion of Jesus Christ live in you?” He meant that you are a victor; you are victorious. Our duty every day is to live victoriously.

We do not run because, when we think of Christ dying on the cross, we do not think his victory has become our victory yet. We do not feel his victory has been applied to us, and so we are not very happy or joyful. We do not feel his victory concerns our families, our futures, our eternity, and our lives. This is something worth thinking deeply about. This world is a cruel place. The power of Satan lies in his declaring to you that you are a failure, and he will continue to prove it over and over again. But the gospel tells you that you are a victor, and it will continue to prove it over and over again.