Restored Victory

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4

Remember the phrase: “Nobody loves a loser”? It’s true, in worldly perspective. I think about T-shirts and other memorabilia proclaiming one team as champions, that hit the stores within 24 hours of any championship-deciding final games of the season. Fans proudly wear clothing proclaiming their team as the WINNER! Hmmm. I don’t remember ever seeing anyone wearing a “LOSER” T-shirt.

In the spiritual sense, as Christians, we’ve been victorious. Actually, because of Christ’s sacrifice, we claim His victory over sin, as long as we’re in Him and living faithfully. Let’s be honest. I strive to lead a Christian life. And continuing with the honesty, I fall short every day in many ways. I’m so thankful that in His goodness and grace, our Heavenly Father continues to extend his restoration through Jesus as I confess my shortcomings and sin, seek forgiveness and press on to the goal. I may, through poor choices and decisions and actions forfeit His shared victory – but he can and does restore it.

When I’ve fallen, I picture myself wearing a T-shirt proclaiming: “He snatched defeat from the jaws of Victory”. And when restored to wholeness through Him, Putting on a Jersey over the loser shirt that says: “Victory Restored”.

–Joe Eagle, Kannapolis church of Christ