After You’ve Failed Many, Many Times

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith. 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)

Victory begins when you recognize that Jesus Christ has given you power to overcome. Many people who say that they’re Christians simply do not believe this. They insist that they’re powerless.

You might hear them say, “You don’t understand. This temptation is too big for me.” It may be bigger than you, but it’s not too big for Christ, and if you’re born again, his Spirit lives in you.

The place where victory begins, when you have failed many times at the hands of a particular temptation, is by believing. There may be times when you say, “What a wretched man I am” (Rom. 7:24). But then you will also say, “Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ my Lord” (Rom. 7:25). The Christian believer is not left in despair.

Regeneration makes the Christian life possible. You can’t live the Christian life by turning over a new leaf. And you can’t live this life by adopting new values. You live this life by becoming a new person, and that is precisely what God offers to you in the gospel.

“The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is not the advice of God. It’s not the instructions, the requirements, or the expectations of God. It is the power of God!! For the salvation of everyone who believes.

Reflect on your approach to temptation and living the Christian life.