It is always an exciting time when an opportunity arises, in whichever decision is reached, results in a favorable outcome.  Such instances may not occur frequently in business or in the world of politics, but there can be consistency of continuous blessing in the spiritual realm.  

Recently, it was shared with this writer of a fellow believer expressing the assurance that in Christ there is always a “win, win” guarantee.  In times of difficulty, when life itself may hang in the balance, only the individual who has placed their faith in Christ and matured in the Word can say confidently with Paul as he writes from death row … “For the which cause [preaching the Gospel] I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim 1:12 KJV).  That is faith for living and for dying …  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain: (“Phil 1:21 NIV).  In writing to the churches in Galatia, he reminded them that … “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20 NIV).  

As one looks into the lives of the first century Christians, the accounts of physical deprivation, torture and martyrdom abound.  Most of the apostles met death at the hands of executioners.  Yet, the greater the persecution, the more the good news of Jesus Christ spread throughout the Roman world.  That same advance of the gospel is still occurring today. 

Recent reports of Christians fleeing war-torn areas into other countries tell of great opportunities for evangelism. Though having lost their homes, businesses, homeland and friends in their escape to freedom, their resolve to trust God to fulfil His Word has not wavered or diminished.  Unfortunately, it is difficult for Christians in this country, and other places where there is freedom, to relate to the experiences of persecuted believers in other parts of the world.  Our homes are not being burned, nor individuals arrested for their faith. Yet, there is an alarming decrease in church attendance and serious study of the Word of God. Prosperity has become a distractor and the pursuit of financial gain, to the neglect of faith and family relationships, is placed above all else. 

Have we forgotten that freedom, prosperity, an innovative entrepreneur spirit and tranquility in a nation are all blessings from God?  Do Christians remember that “as goes the believer, so goes the nation” is an unwavering axiom?  Every occurrence, whether adverse or pleasant, in the believer’s life has been anticipated by God and His perfect provision results in a win win situation.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:31-39 NKJV).