Go With Me Weekly Devotional

Go With ME

Embracing our Sacred Responsibility with Christ

More Than Conquerors

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”             Apostle Paul - Romans 8 (KJV)

  I’ve read this verse for many years, and have thought deeply about the powerful concept of being “More than a Conqueror.”  I like the thought of it.  I like its implication.  It appeals to my warrior, hunter instincts.  I think most men would feel the same.  To be identified as being a conqueror is gratifying enough, but to be more than a conqueror must be like, more than Rambo, right?  Well, “Hold on there Pilgrim,”as John Wayne would say. We first better explore what it means to be “more than a conqueror” before we mount up and storm the gates of hell, half-cocked.  If we think a Rambo-ish swagger will get it done in facing down the powerful forces of evil, we are mistaken. We are one step away from being shown a dangerous truth about this evil force that will eradicate anyone who is not covered under God’s more powerful force.  Let’s start with a common misunderstanding by exploring a prideful attitude that builds a trap under our feet. Swag·ger:  to walk in an arrogant or proud way - to talk boastfully about personal accomplishments - an arrogant way of walking or behaving - Encarta I will not go into my past days of playing football in the S.E.C.  I will only say that it was, and is, a common attitude for athletes to have a swagger.  It is not only seen, but it is expected of them, and it is promoted and funded by adoring fans. In those days, I was not exempt from this attitude.  In fact, in my present way of thinking, I am ashamed to say that I swaggered beyond the norm.  I am only glad I can excuse myself by saying this was in a period from age 18 to 23.  But, then I remember this swagger didn’t end when my football days were over.  In fact, it carried over into my business career for many years afterwards, and yes, even into a spiritual life that should never have permitted it.  Why did it continue beyond my athletic days?  Worst of all, why did I allow it to continue into my most sacred place, which is my spiritual life?  I think it is because, at the time, I didn’t realize there is a contradiction between a confidence that is born and reinforced by a worldly swagger, contrasted to a confidence birthed and reinforced by Christ.  There is a big, big difference.  Although I must still struggle to allow Christ to conquer my pride, which will be a life-long battle, I now see the issues more clearly.  Preceded by this revelation were painful challenges. However, God has blessed me by allowing me to see the dangerous trap of the old perspective. The spiritual battlefield today is a dangerous place for a prideful Christian to live, and I am deeply concerned that there are some Christian leaders who have not come to understand this.  Their pride will one day sink their ship, and many of the people, who follow their example, will fall with them. What can we do to be alert to this dangerous attitude in a leader, and more importantly, in ourselves?  It helps me to read the Bible, close my eyes, and try to visualize the life and practices of Jesus and His disciples.  If you will do this, I will ask you these questions: “Do you see a swaggerin any of these men?  Do you see anything remotely close to arrogance, boastfulness or pride?”  I will tell you ahead of time that you will not, for Christ, who had every right to swagger, did not present Himself in such a manner.  He did not, for it is not Christ-like behavior, and He is true to Who He is.  Nor will you see a swagger in the disciples, for they were broken men, and broken men do not swagger.  These are very important considerations, for they say a lot about  Christian leaders or teachers who live a life contrary to the standard set by Christ and the disciples. For you and me, the big questions are:  who do we want to pattern our life after, and what kind of life will please the Father the most?   “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”  1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)   As I write this devotional, I am aware there are many readers who are in different places in their spiritual journey.  Some are new believers, who love Christ, and want to live in a way that pleases the Lord.  These men are looking for role models, other Christian men, who demonstrate a deeper walk with Christ.  They are looking for authenticity in a man, and most of all, they want to see a demonstration of the characteristics of Christ.  However, the leader with his swagger often leads these young believers astray, because they are reminded of the superstars on TV, movies, or on ball fields.  These young believers do not understand they are seeing a false image, a false persona, and someone who is far from the truth. There are also mature believers who read these devotionals.  But what is a “mature believer?”  It is not just length of time as a Christian and certainly not one who simply looks the part.  I believe it is someone who has truly gotten over himself and is now captivated by his King.  This is a man broken of his pride, unimpressed with his past successes, and humble in spirit because he is not self-absorbed.  This is a man who would fit well with the group of men who lived the rest of their lives serving Christ, after having been with Him for 3 years. This is the man I believe God would identify as “More than a Conqueror.”  This is a man who authentically demonstrates characteristics that are similar to Jesus when no one else is watching him.  This is a man after God’s own heart. There is a time in every believer’s life that he needs to take some major steps in being more like Christ.  He needs to “grow up” but understand this.   As he moves closer to Christ, he will not approach Him standing up.  On the contrary, he will stoop lower before Him.  This man will eventually be on his face before his King, and believe me, there will be no swagger accompanying him.  This is the man I want to be around.  This is the man I pray God will make of me.  This is a man like Jesus. To the honor of Him Who deserves all glory, Rocky To Download a copy of this devotion, CLICK HERE