Christ Has Won the Battle for You
The victory over sinful habits comes not through our own efforts, but by faith in Jesus Christ, who has already won the battle for us.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that many believers struggle with sinful habits despite their love for Jesus and earnest prayers for freedom. He identifies a common root of these struggles as unbelief, suggesting that true victory comes not from willpower or striving, but through faith in the promises of God. Wilkerson reminds us that Christ has already won the battle for us, and our victory is secured by faith, not by our efforts. He encourages believers to remain grounded in faith and to depend on God as Christ did, highlighting that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
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In recent months, I have read many sad, pitiful letters from believers who are still bound by sinful habits. Multitudes of struggling Christians write, "I can't stop gambling...I'm in the grips of an alcohol addiction...I'm having an affair and I can't break it off...I'm a slave to pornography." In letter after letter, these people say the same thing: "I love Jesus and I've begged God to free me. I've prayed, wept and sought godly counsel. But I just can't break free. What can I do?"
I've spent much time seeking the Lord for wisdom on how to answer these believers. I pray, "Lord, you know your children's lives. Many are devoted, Spirit-filled saints, yet they don't have your victory. They don't know freedom. What's going on?"
At one point, I studied the biblical passages containing God's promises to his people. I was reminded that the Lord pledges to keep us from falling, to present us faultless, to justify us by faith, sanctify us by faith, keep us holy by faith. He promises that our old man is crucified by faith, and that we are translated into his kingdom by faith.
The one thing common to all of these promises is this phrase: "by faith." Indeed, all these things are matters of faith, according to God's Word. So I came to the only clear conclusion about these struggling Christians' problems: somewhere at the root of their bondage is unbelief. It all boils down to a simple lack of faith.
Are you struggling to gain victory by your willpower? Are you fighting the battle in your old nature? Paul points out, "To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5).
Your victory must come not through weeping or striving, but by faith that Jesus Christ has won the battle for you.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him" (Hebrews 11:6). Indeed, Paul says there is only one condition attached to God's promises: "[That] ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard" (Colossians 1:23).
Christ surrendered everything to his Father, in order to be a totally obedient Son. And we are to do likewise. We are to be totally dependent on the Father, just as Christ was.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Struggle of Believers
- A. Many Christians are bound by sinful habits
- B. They have prayed, wept, and sought godly counsel
- C. But they still can't break free
- II. The Problem of Unbelief
- A. Somewhere at the root of their bondage is unbelief
- B. It boils down to a simple lack of faith
- III. The Power of Faith
- A. Faith is the condition attached to God's promises
- B. Without faith, it is impossible to please God
- IV. The Victory of Christ
- A. Christ surrendered everything to his Father
- B. We are to be totally dependent on the Father, just like Christ
Key Quotes
“Your victory must come not through weeping or striving, but by faith that Jesus Christ has won the battle for you.” — David Wilkerson
“Without faith it is impossible to please him” — David Wilkerson
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- You must come to faith that Jesus Christ has already won the battle for you, and trust in His power to overcome your struggles.
- You can please God by having faith, which is impossible without it.
- You must be totally dependent on the Father, just like Christ, to experience His victory in your life.