In all wars, victory is the ultimate goal.
On the battlefield, each commander is seeking to defeat the enemy so that the ultimate victory can be achieved. This is exactly the way a person must look at their spiritual life. It is a battle each day, with the goal of ultimate victory at the end of life.
In the writings of Solomon, one finds, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The one who seeks to please God will heed the words of the “wise man.”
Peter tells that God has provided “… all things that pertain to life and godliness …” (2 Peter 1:3). God provided Christ to die for mankind’s sins (John 3:16). Man must see that it is in Christ that victory is to be found.
As a person looks at God’s word, they find that it is through baptism that one “gets into Christ.” Notice the words Paul wrote: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). To those at Rome, he wrote, “Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death that, like as Christ, was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).
When one is baptized into Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), has forgiveness of sin (Colossians 1:14) and, in Christ, salvation and eternal life (2 Timothy 2:10, 1 John 5:11).
Only in Christ can man find victory. That is how Paul was able to say, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Paul knew his reward awaited him, and his life serves as an example of how a child of God should live — ever seeking to please God.
Paul realized he was in a battle for his soul with Satan, so he had to watch himself. “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). If Paul had to be that careful and watchful, each Christian must be diligent in the battle.
In Christ, salvation (victory) is to be had. One must believe that Christ is the Son of God, turn to God and away from sin, be willing to confess Christ before men, and then get into Christ through baptism. Then, they must remain faithful to God all the days of their life.
Obey God while the opportunity presents itself and gain the victory.