In IBL’s coaching, consulting and counseling ministries we are often involved in one-on-one mentoring situations with ministry leaders. These are intimate and privileged relationships borne from a trust that is earned over time, tested, and blessed by God. The foundation of these relationships is unconditional love, and the singular objective is to help leaders develop greater degrees of victorious living, as reflected in their personal lives and public ministries. How is this done? First, by illuminating biblical principles, allowing the “living and powerful” Word to have its effect (Hebrews 4:12), and then encouraging obedience to those principles. That then leads to victorious living, in which biblical thinking prevails; a vibrant, growing relationship with God is experienced; relationships with other people become rich and impactful; wise decision-making is evident; and Christ-exalting ministry is realized.
Those of us who have trusted Christ for our salvation, and who deeply love Him, yearn to mature and grow in our intimacy with Him. We desire to have His understanding, to have His thoughts about things, to see things as He sees them, and to possess His wisdom. In short, we yearn for victorious living. How does one experience this? Where does it come from? What does God’s Word teach us about this?
Most succinctly, the Lord Jesus, in speaking of His relationship with His heavenly Father summed up what should be the consuming passion of us all: “…for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29b)
That was Jesus’ central purpose and it must be yours and mine as well: to please the One who gave His life for me. That is done by daily humbling myself before Him and receiving the power of His grace (1 Peter 5:5b) so that we can be obedient. If you love someone you want to please them–that’s what the Lord Himself said: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21a) Further, 1 John 2:3-5 reads, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them...”
Obedience! That’s it. The path to victorious living is found in obedience. This principle is taught throughout Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to DO according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
But be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your selves. (James 1:22)
He gave us His Word that is “living and powerful” so that it could continually perfect and thoroughly equip you and me (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For that to happen, however, we must first know it and then obey it. Otherwise it is simply head knowledge without the transforming power.
Obedience. Victorious living. The former gives life to the latter. For me to covet the latter is desirable, but I must realize it is an effect borne from a cause. My passion must be for the cause while I await the blessed effect. Do I love you that much, Lord, so as to “…always do the things that are pleasing to You?”
May it be so in my life…and yours! Straight Ahead! (1 Cor. 15:58)
Russ Lloyd, Founder