“Countless Christians live with overwhelming discouragement in their spiritual walk because they are told they should be victorious now, that things would go better for them if they had more faith, that even if trials come, they will have peace if they simply TRUST GOD.”
(Jodie Jensen – Pulpit & Pen) A new book was released this week by Lysa TerKeurst, and I want to earnestly caution believing friends against running out to get it or hopping on Amazon to order it. She is an exuberant writer and speaker and has experienced great triumph over intense difficulties in her life, but these things alone do not make her a sound Biblical teacher, and that should be our top priority when we are studying the Word of God.
In her latest book, “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way”, she states,
“We will be victorious because Jesus is victorious. Victorious people were never meant to settle for normal.”
Referencing 1 Cor 15:57 she says,
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sounds awesome, right? What if your life IS normal? What if God’s plan for you is to be a postman, accountant, Kindergarten teacher, orphan, widow, childless spouse, or an amputee?
VV. 54-58 give us a broader, more accurate picture. Paul is speaking about our eternal life. We are not promised victory in our earthly life. We may have triumphs – for which we should praise and glorify the Almighty God – but this is not primarily a promise for our mortal lives. This is called eisegesis – inserting your own personal thoughts, hopes, and self into Biblical text, rather than proper EXegesis: that is, the drawing out of the truth that God has already established for us.
Research: