It all depends in who is affirming or denying it. If it is a negative person, is probably going to say “no.” If he/she is a positive person, will probably say yes to be consistent with the way he/she seems to be, but if it is a real Christian, is going to say “YES, of course!!!” Because a real born again Christian believes everything the Bible; the Scriptures, or the Word of God says, and do not doubt.
One of the men in the Bible who was a church persecutor, and the people he harassed were afraid of him, Saul of Tarsus, had an encounter with God and changed completely, even his name. Now, the apostle Paul, whom Jesus appointed as His chosen instrument to spread the word to the gentiles, wrote many books but also suffered much affliction for the sake of His name, and that made him wise, truthful, and trusted. It wasn’t a university diploma that made him worthy, even though he was known to have the finest teachings. It was meeting the right person whom he had been fighting against for many years until he realized how wrong he had acted (thinking he was doing the right thing) and wanted to reverse everything by teaching the truth, no matter what, so he became a winner. At the beginning it wasn’t easy and many people did not believe him knowing what he used to be, but as time passed and they started seeing his sufferings, his imprisonments, listening to his positive reasoning in spite of it, and seeing his “former friends” become his enemies, the people who were his former victims became his followers. And Paul then became a conqueror.
In chapter eight of the letter to the Romans (Paul’s masterpiece according to my pastor) Paul really explains it. It is an invitation to become conquerors; that is if we want to be, of course. And it is not about having the best, but being it. Just like it happened to him, turning a new leaf, and no matter how much the ones that think they do not need God to have a good life hassle us to the point of exhaustion, we can keep firm in our beliefs and be victors in everything: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are being considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us. (Romans 8. 36-37)
Lately I have been reading in the web many comments, on things that happen, which leave me astonished. Really, I didn’t think there could be so much hate in this world. How can some people be so ignorant that do not realize others are trying to help them, not harm them. I suppose it is the way things are said, or perhaps they think, like Paul did, they are doing the right thing. I feel so sad when I think that so many would get lost at the end for not investigating the truth to be free. (The truth will make you free, says the Lord -John 8.32 b) I feel sorry for them for the ones who don’t care. They are so full of hatred that can’t see the goodness in others. I pray for them, everyday, so they see the light. Jesus said that we should love one another, and there are so many other great teachings too in the Bible. If we use the resource we have as Christians (communication with God) and practice all the good advice we have there, the happy life is guaranteed, in spite of choice testing moments. But our evil intentions, result of our sinful nature, are constantly lurking us to behave harshly toward others “in our own defense,” which most of the times offends. That is why we must stay connected with our Savior, at ease, taking advantage of our spiritual means to act wisely; doing what it suggests like: “whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5.39 b) That might sound a little oddly, but that’s how we become conquerors. If we do, we’ll be overcomers on any situation we might face.
I understand there might be instances when some people who are not what they claim to be make you uncomfortable when you see them get rich on your account and you lose all faith on them and on what they preach. Not everyone is like that, though. And it is NOT our job to judge them. That is God’s job. I have heard some preachers attacking them as “those who talk on TV are false prophets.” I think God gives us enough intelligence to be able to discern who’s preaching God’s Word and who’s not. God says you will know them by their “fruit.” If their work is not fruitful, don’t listen or follow. We must study the Holy Scriptures to wise up. All the prophets and men of God in the Bible were selected to preach the truth and most had a very difficult life to be able to use their experience to our knowledge. TV preachers are not all bad; I find meaning in many of them. May God bless the way His word is spreading around the world today. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24.14) I’ve heard some preachers accuse others with rage. I do not know if they have been called by God to “reprehend” the fact because they are endangering the gospel, or if it’s for envy over their “success.” I think God has the power to respond to any phony. Ezekiel 34. 1-5 reprimands them. Jesus said: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12.37) But He also said “For he who’s not against us is for us.” (Mark 9. 40/Luke 9.50) We should help, NOT judge.
We are conquerors during these difficult times of pandemic, or in any other time, because we trust our God to save us and do not have to blame anybody or any government who wants the goodness for us and whoever helps born again Christians who put the “other cheek,” “run the extra mile,” and “love one another,” do not have to fear, not even of death itself because if we believe, we’ll go straight to heaven. We say like Paul wrote:
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1.21)
“Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15. 55-58)
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