And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
This scripture has provided me with some encouragement to victory in the past. I say that without a great deal of enthusiasm because it always seemed to be a "victory chant" more than anything else. I knew the blood of the Lamb gave and still gives me victory, causing me to overcome, but it seemed a bit dry and flat. It just lays on the tongue like something that is lacking the flavor you expected it to have.
Then the light came on it (or me)! There is a three-fold process here that causes me to overcome. The blood of the Lamb is the first part. God made way for me to live and walk in victory by the redemptive act of Jesus on the Cross. His beating, flogging, ridicule, harassment, abuse, and ultimately his death was for me. All of God's wrath was placed on Jesus as he assumed the role of a sinner. Everything the Father unleased on Jesus was meant for and should have been my judgement for my sins. Every time I feel beat down, whipped and hurt; every time I'm feeling persecuted and ridiculed and harassed; every time I feel like someone is taking advantage of me or abusing me or our relationship, I can rest assured that I have been placed in a position over it all...a position of an overcomer.
The second and third parts are my responsibility...to speak my testimony and to live for Christ until I die.
AS FOR ME
In order to actually FEEL like an overcomer; to make it real in my life that Satan is defeated, I have to do my part...the second and third parts of the three-fold process "and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death".
The second part of the process is verbalizing the victory. I think back to my walk time with the Lord where He told me to pray out loud because I needed to hear myself qoute the word. That's how my edification and motivation is built up in me, by speaking to myself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). It's not enough to put me over to hear someone else say it or to just pray silently in my head...my ears and voice need to join forces.
Then there is the other side to the word of my testimony...sharing what God has done and is doing in my life. A testimony is defined as "evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof; an open declaration or profession"
The third and final part of the process reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They loved with total abandon, not considering their lives. Simple obedience that pays off. Wow.
