Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Man is not made for defeat.” Now don’t jump to the wrong conclusion! I have never read “The Old Man and the Sea,” but I did pause on a channel showing an old classic film based on Hemingway’s work. That’s where I heard the quote.
Let me take the liberty to modify the quote to fit you and me, fellow believers. In the Lord Jesus Christ, as new creatures, we are not made for defeat. As a matter of fact, nothing can keep us from winning and the ultimate prize awaits us as victors over all that we face. We do have the victory! Do you need more proof? Well, at the risk of being too brief, let me share a familiar biblical passage to substantiate that you and I were made to be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Perhaps this will inspire us to press forward, not giving in to the things that try to stop us, slow us down, suppress our joy, or sink our hope. Here is what the bible says in Romans 8:28-29 (NASB).
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Now, with your heart uncontrolled, overpouring with unspeakable joy and your undying faith in God obvious to the world, go out with uplifting confidence knowing that you shall not be defeated; not just ultimately, but even in your daily battles against our old enemies; against our old nature, our old nemesis the devil, and the old ways of wickedness in this world that keep trying to bring you down. Let me close by writing Romans 8:37, pulled out of the passage above, but presented in the King James Version. Love you! Have a great day! By the way, you ought to be humming, “I got the victory, the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus!” Amen! Be blessed!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was [s]raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Now, with your heart uncontrolled, overpouring with unspeakable joy and your undying faith in God obvious to the world, go out with uplifting confidence knowing that you shall not be defeated; not just ultimately, but even in your daily battles against our old enemies; against our old nature, our old nemesis the devil, and the old ways of wickedness in this world that keep trying to bring you down. Let me close by writing Romans 8:37, pulled out of the passage above, but presented in the King James Version. Love you! Have a great day! By the way, you ought to be humming, “I got the victory, the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus!” Amen! Be blessed!
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37 KJV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King