ONE CONTINUAL TRIUMPH

"Now thanks be to God, who through our union with Christ, leads us in one continual triumph and uses us to spread the sweet savor of the knowledge of Him in everyplace..."

--2 Corinthians 2:14 TCNT

When asked to describe his or her life, the average Christian today would not answer as the apostle Paul, "One continual triumph".... It would more likely be something in the order of, "One continual train-wreck".  I hate to say it, but, listening to the 'testimonies' of some of my beloved brothers and sisters, tends to bring on a depression only the power of God can relieve.  And it doesn't help when the poor victim of life's everyday trials attempts to disguise his murmuring and complaining by adding some religious cliché, i.e., "Oh, but I just rejoice that God is showing His love towards me in sending these trials---He just wants to teach me something, and it will all work together for good---somehow."

What really gets me is when they boast of all their troubles, all the while blaming God for them, and then equate themselves with the apostle Paul, or some other exemplary saint from the pages of the Bible.  The sometimes painful truth, however, is this...

Paul had enough sense, first of all, NOT to attribute his many trials and afflictions to God, but accurately refer to the source as, "the messenger of Satan" (2 Cor. 12:7).

Secondly, when his complaining and murmuring to the Lord about it, was met first with silence, and then the strong reminder of the sufficiency of the grace of God (to deliver from any trial); he had enough sense to rejoice.  He rejoiced not in the trials, as if God had 'sent them to teach him something', but he rejoiced in Christ---in His finished work of redemption and in the free gift of righteousness and grace, which are plenty sufficient to enable one to REIGN IN LIFE (Romans 5:17).

That's obviously when he began to identify himself as 'more than a conqueror' and a 'fool for Christ', giving thanks continually for the 'victory' (1 Cor. 15:57) given him on a regular, never-ending basis.

Paul was smart enough to realize that when trouble comes, he would rejoice all the more, knowing the power of Christ would rest upon him and deliver him in every single case (2 Cor. 12:9-11). Thus, his testimony would ultimately be summarized in the fact that though he had suffered more for the gospel's sake than any man on the planet, God had been faithful and delivered him from every single trial (2 Tim. 3:11).

The modern Christian who attempts to equate his life of misery and woe with the apostle Paul, needs to take another look at the Bible in respect to the lessons Paul learned concerning the God-ordained life of victory for the believer... He needs to learn the same lessons, shake off his doubt and unbelief, quit blaming God for his problems, and humble himself with a true humility (instead of the phony humility he has been so steeped in) and begin to 'reign in life' through the accomplishments of Christ Jesus---to His glory.