Living With Purpose

The U.S. Army Chaplain School in Fort Jackson, South Carolina prepares its chaplains in every way. Part of its curriculum includes helping all of its Religious Support Soldiers come to appreciate the great military history our branches have forged. In my personal study, I’ve read that ancient Rome decorated triumphant military generals with the highest possible honors. These honors were called a “triumph”. And they made the general, essentially, king for the day. Other awards the general garnered were a civic holiday in his hometown, with decorated houses and fancy parties. There was also a parade known as the “triumphal procession”. In this parade, the conquering army marched through town, carrying the spoils of war. The prisoners of war were publicly paraded, then the defeated king and his generals.
There exists a reserve of strength that is available for the person who finds their hope anchored in Christ. Joining God’s army places you on the winning team and there’s tremendous achievement in spectacular fashion for those who affirm Christ as their Savior. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But thanks be to God! For in union with Christ we’re always led by God as prisoners in Christ’s victory procession. God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance.” This Scripture defines our place in Christ’s victory jubilee. It doesn’t mean that Jesus has conquered us, but that he has claimed victory over the sin in our lives. We’re no longer captive to sin if we choose not to be. Because there’s victory in Jesus, we follow him in his “triumph”. When others hear and see our testimony of faith it brings glory to Him. To be in his procession is to be a part of his victory parade.
All of us have had to fight some kind of battle in our lives. Life itself can be a battle due to all the trouble we have to face. Some people have the mistaken idea that if they trust Christ with everything and do what’s right, they’ll never have any great difficulty in life. This is an illusion and one that will be shattered sooner or later. There’s nothing in the Bible that gives the impression that if we trust God and do the best we can we will always have ease, comfort, and pleasure. Trouble is in our nature and it plays out all too many times. Sometimes it’s our fault and at other times it’s someone else’s. God wants to cause us to triumph over all things including temptations, even when we’ve been defeated in the past by the evil one. God offers forgiveness and cleansing.
We must understand the greatest battle ever fought happened at the Cross. Jesus battled against every evil force that has ever attacked humanity. Sin was awaken and demanded condemnation and wrath. When sin and transgressions charged in like a galloping horse, death came riding on its back. Satan’s forces saw it as their chance to claim victory over the Prince of Peace.
When the battle was at its finest and the earth was its darkest, Jesus cried out the words that have echoed throughout the centuries: “It is finished”. It was at this moment that the devil lost his claim on humankind. Three days later when Christ was resurrected, Satan and his host of demons were put out of action and put to public disgrace.
Never forget that the Cross was a battlefield and Jesus Christ emerged as the undisputed, undefeated, and all-time Champion over every foe that exists. If everybody loves a winner, then Jesus ought to be loved by everyone, because he’s the greatest champion of all. Do you love him?
One day we will join Christ in a triumphant procession celebrating our champion. Death and Satan will receive their punishment. All of God’s children will step up to the victory stand in Christ! Until then, live in such a way that you are a positive influence on all who know you. Exercise kindness and patience with your friends and neighbors. Put into action Luke 6:31 where it says: “Do for others just what you want them to do for you.” If you do this, regardless of what other people think, you’ll be a winner.
• This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He’s the author of the “Living With Purpose” book series, “TBH The Truth Will Set You Free”, and “Running With Purpose”. Matt can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org.