In this world Christians can expect to face opposition and more than likely fall under the weight of it from time to time. That may sound depressing, but realize that this world is under the control of the devil and his mercenaries called evil spirits. It only makes sense that the evil one intimidate, harass, threaten and subdue anyone who under the grace of God has been given a way out.

John wrote of a coming time when those who find themselves under pressure to give up and run, will come out victorious. They will come out battle-scarred and weary from the warfare waged against them. But even though they are charred by fire, they will not be burned. Even though they look defeated, they are about to meet the Lamb of God who brought them through the fiery trials on earth. They are overcomers.

All believers have this power even though they may not live in the tribulation period of which Revelation speaks. The same Lamb of God that saves them makes us overcomers as well. We may not feel like it some time as we're weary, battered, torn and barely holding to our faith. But it's not by our power that we overcome but by the blood of the Lamb.

Our physical body operates as our heart pumps blood through veins and arteries to our organs. Blood carries oxygen from our lungs and food materials from our digestive system to the rest of the body and removes waste products from our tissues. On an average, the heart of a man performs one squeeze and relaxation motion around 100,000 times a day, pumping 3,600 gallons of blood through the body.

What happens when our blood flow is restricted or our body gets sick? In that case, we normally get a fever where we have a prolonged body temperature in excess of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Doctors don't know what a fever really is, but they know what it does. It makes the vital processes and organs of the body work faster producing more blood cells that in turn destroys harmful germs. Our blood circulates faster and we get rid of wastes and poisons in our system. As the body flushes these harmful elements from the body, the body temperature steadily returns to normal.

We can equate our spiritual life in this world to the physical action we just described. We are peaceful and at rest before bad stuff is ingested into our body (sin), but then we begin to get sick. Our body then sounds an alert (conviction) and begins to increase the function of our heart. Increased temperature increases the production of blood cells (grace) that in turn isolates and expels the bad stuff from our body (forgiveness). Our body temperature slowly returns to normal (restoration) and we again are at rest.

We've seen how blood is the lifeline to a healthy life. In the same way, the blood of the Lamb is our lifeline to overcoming sin and knowing eternal life. We cannot expect to survive the spiritual battles on earth unless the blood of the Lamb runs through our veins. But notice that it's also important to give God the glory for what He's done (testimony). It wasn't just the blood that made them victorious; it was Jesus' blood AND their testimony.

Have you testified today? If not, your spiritual sickness may be lingering until you do!

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ze. 1:1-21 Rv. 12:1-17 Ps. 140:1-13 Pr. 30:17 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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