Victims or Victors
I have noticed that it is a lot easier to be a victim and be the center of attention than it is to overcome and be a victor. Being a victim is looking at the problems as insurmountable. All humans have problems in life. You have a choice. Are you going to be a victim or a victor? A s Christian we need to understand that we are victors through Christ Jesus. In Romans 8:37-39 Paul says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Some questions to consider:
What can we do to remind ourselves to be victors? Does the Church have a role in helping each other in each other remember that we are victors instead of victoms? By not addressing problems do we inable people be victims instead of victors? If you have made the choice to be a victim how can you change and become a victor? Why is it so easy to be a victim instead of victor?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 6:48:00 PM
11 Comments:
WE ARE VICTORS. I think I could write a book over this post. I'll just say, that we should not sweep people's problems away - they should be dealt with. But no one has to remain a victim in Christ. We should help each other conquer.
This is a loaded post for me. I could really get myself in trouble with it.
Kathy
We preachers need to remind our folks (maybe every time we get in the pulpit) that we have victory in Christ and that he's coming back. We need to make sure that we preach more about Christ's victory than anything else. What else really matters more?
The American culture loves to play the victim. Everything is someone else's fault, or someone else's responsibility. If we fall down in a store, it must be the store's fault so we sue them. If we burn ourselves on the coffee, we sue the restaurant that served it. We expect government to solve our problems. We want someone else's taxes to be raised, so we can receive government benefits. We speak evil of congress, forgetting that we elected the congressmen. We complain that they don't get anything done, but they do (mostly) what the people who voted for them want them to do. Congress can't get anything done because the American people don't agree with each other. We want to blame Congress but we should be blaming ourselves. We cause our own problems.
Christians certainly shouldn't live like victims. We should take responsibility for our actions and for their consequences. Our attitude toward our lot in life should be "I'm doing better than I deserve."
The answer will be found in how we see ourselves. If I find my identity in Christ I will approach all of life's situations with this mindset. "I am God's man and God's child who happens to be a Realtor, part time preacher, husband, grand pa", etc. If I find my identity in any other than Christ I might say this, "I am a Realtor who happens to be a child of God, a husband, a grand pa", etc.
We tend to live up to who we think we are. In Chist we are always victors without regard to circumstances. All of us who are saved should work on comfortably finding our identity in Christ and then approach life from that view and I believe that path is one of joy and peace in ALL of life's seasons.
Grace to you,
Royce Ogle
The difference between Victims & Victors is perspective. Victims feel as if they have no control, Victors feel as if they do.
The preacher's household,
Thanks for adding to the discussion. I agree that we should help one another (1 Cor 13, Col 3 and 1 John) you are so right when you say that no one has to remain a victom in Christ and we all should each other conquer. Well said, Kathy.
Bob,
You are so right. As preacher we have a responsablity to encourage our congregations of the victory that they can Christ and that is coming back. The problems of life are temporary. Isn't that wonderful to think about. I believe that we should as preachers remind our congregations that we are victors in this life and the life after as well.
Set our minds on things above. Think about the blessing that God has given to each of us. Yes, material and spiritual.
Think about the our trials in life as doors of opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with someone who has the same trial.
Challenge our members to be victors instead of victims.
Bob, and your point that it begins in the pulpit is so important.
Alan,
Great point. Yes american culture does love to play the victim. Playing the blame game. I agree about attitude and how we see and view life. If I view life from a victim perspective them I am going to live as such. If I view life in victor perspective, as someone who can overcome, then my attitude and the way I see things is going to be much different. That is why so many times you see in Scripture Paul, Peter and others say control your mind, prepare your mind, guard your mind, focus your mind. Our mind is powerful. As Christians we must set our minds on Christ, God, His Word, godliness and heavenly things. As Christians we must encourage one another in Christ.
As preachers, elders, we must deal with the problems that people face in life and give the capablity to become victors instead of ignoring the problems and allowing them to become victims.
Josh,
Excellent point brother on how each feel.
Interesting thoughts. As someone ministering within a Restoration heritage, one of the things I appreciate deeply about many of our churches is the enormous focus on the cross.
However, with such focus, I wonder if it is easy for us to keep focus and practical theology only on the cross, and not as much on the resurrection. We are resurrection people, and if there is any understanding of Christ that might gain more momentum in a postmodern age, it might be the theme of christus victor.
I meant to tell you to get to feeling better!
I really appreciated the comments on this post. Maybe you could do another short post that will bring out more discussion on this topic. I know so many that live as a victim. I know that it is hard to get over that, but I naively see it as something that has to be done as part of a Christian walk. I would hate to make someone feel guilty for not being able to turn that light switch off so I would enjoy more conversation about this.
Honestly, I think my mind may have been taken victim by my children this summer. I am having a hard time concentrating on a decent, well, thought out post. I think if I can do one a week that may be an accomplishment. :)
Take care!
Kathy
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