In Luke 21:12-19, Jesus prepared his disciples for the trials they would face after his departure, making it clear their journey would be challenging. He warned of persecution in synagogues, imprisonment, opposition from family members, and appearances before kings and governors, all for his name’s sake. Tragically, some would even be killed. However, within this same passage, Jesus also provided a strategy for them to “win life,” which is the focus of this blog.
To fully grasp Jesus’ words, it’s essential to understand the context of that era. The concept of Jesus was new and met with strong opposition from the religious and political leadership. Preaching the gospel was a daunting task, a significant assignment that would cost some disciples their lives.
In stark contrast, Christianity today is the world’s largest faith, with approximately 2.3 billion followers. Except for a few radical areas, practicing Christianity no longer carries the same level of hostility. The chances of being killed for one’s Christian faith are significantly lower than they were then. Therefore, the disciples Jesus addressed that day, according to scripture, indeed “won life,” even those who lost their physical lives, as their mission was successful.
I believe that if we apply the strategy Jesus gave his disciples, we too will “win life.” Imagine how much more effective this strategy can be in today’s world, where there is significantly less resistance.
The strategy is revealed in Luke 21:14-15, where Jesus states, “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” This scripture refers to being led by the Holy Spirit. It means we should not rely on our own understanding as we navigate life, but rather on the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was essentially telling his disciples to be Spirit-dominated.
Jesus highlighted two key things in this scripture: first, we will encounter challenges on earth, and second, we will find ourselves in the presence of kings and governors. These are experiences a Spirit-dominated soul should anticipate. Challenges are universal; everyone, whether in God’s Kingdom or the world’s, faces difficulties—illness, loss of a loved one, business or career struggles, difficult relationships, and so on. However, the crucial difference between a Spirit-dominated soul and an ego-dominated soul lies in their approach to these difficulties, and this determines whether we “win life.” Aligning with the Holy Spirit also significantly reduces the challenges we encounter in our lives as many challenges are actually a direct or indirect result of our own shortcomings.
Psalm 34:19 states, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers them from them all.” I believe each person has three responsibilities on earth:
- To experience all the great things the Lord created and live an abundant life.
- To execute their soul assignment in a way that honors and glorifies God and benefits His Kingdom.
- To navigate all of life’s challenges in a powerful and victorious way.
All these responsibilities can only be accomplished by following and remaining in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches and guides us in all these things; He orders our steps, and we follow them. Our assignments will lead us to the kings and governors of this world, and when we find ourselves there, the Holy Spirit will instruct us on what to say and do, helping us navigate our lives gracefully.
On this website, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to “Win Life” by guiding us through these three topics:
- How to live an abundant life by living in the present moment, appreciating all blessings, and enjoying the gifts the Father has given and created for us.
- How to discern and recognize our soul’s assignments and how to execute them effectively for the glory of God.
- How to navigate daily challenges victoriously, fighting from a position of victory rather than for victory.
In conclusion, God’s will for us is to “win life,” and He has provided everything we need to achieve this. All the best!
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