The Bullet of Victorious Living: “Four Keys,” Part 2 of 3
… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
Key #1: THE SALVATION ESSENTIAL – to know Christ is to find ultimate fullness. The Bible word for salvation is soteria or sozo. It means deliverance, preservation, health, wholeness, etc. Victory is reserved for the athlete with the disciplined body and healthy mind. No example has ever been given greater than Christ. The goal of every athlete is maximum potential. Man can only be “maximum man” when he knows and pursues the intentions and plans of the Master Coach. “To know” means experiential knowledge of Coach God’s will and style.
Key #2: THE SPIRIT ESSENTIAL – The power of resurrection refers to Romans 8:11. To get the coach's knowledge and enthusiasm into his own life should be the goal of every athlete. True, human coaches break down, but the Divine Trainer is always perfect. Any problem is in us and not Him. God’s Spirit is given to the “true believer” and increasingly gives us supernatural power as we obey.
Key #3: THE SUFFERING ESSENTIAL – Until the athlete is ready to suffer with the coach to achieve victory they are both frustrated. You never suffer in the right way until you take responsibility for the right things. (Taking wrong responsibility leads to stupid and meaningless suffering.) Make up your mind what kind of beating you are prepared to take to win.
Key #4: THE SELF ESSENTIAL – Death to self-wishes is the only way to live up to the desire of Someone greater. The champion athlete must put the coach, his team-mates and the victory ahead of his own bruises or feelings. No army ever wins a battle where their first concern is their safety. You fight to win. Dying is secondary. Being a champion is primary.
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