Reflections
Ephesians 6:10-14 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
God never tells us to win any victory. He tells us to hold fast, and stand in, by faith, the finished victory of Jesus Christ. This Truth is not only fundamental to faith, but is the basis for all spiritual warfare. It is because it is finished, and God gives it all freely in His Son, that we need not fight to win. Rather, we must fight to stand.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord…that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…(Eph 6:10-14)
Note that we must stand IN CHRIST. In other words, God does not give us a THING called power or victory apart from Christ Himself — such that we can go around exercising or manifesting His power. Rather, we must grow to manifest Christ — who IS the power. Only then is there any practical victory possible. IN CHRIST is all power and authority.
The victory of Christ is only in His resurrection life — and never in our natural life. Thus, never think that victory is possible while holding onto our own lives. That is actually a guarantee for defeat. Victorious life is His life, and He is my life only if I first relinquish myself to Him. Thus, all victory, and therefore overcoming through Him, is a matter of personally coming under Him as Lord.
Overcoming in Christ is only possible if Christ has first overcome us.
It really IS finished — we have no victory to win — we have only a victory to which we must surrender. And then in which to stand.