Chosen to be a Champ and Not a Chump

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  Romans 8:37 (NKJ)
 
On Sunday, February 4th 2018, the National Football League will declare a new champion in Super Bowl 52!  Now you need to know that this writer is hoping that the Philadelphia Eagles will compete and capture their prey, the Patriots, rather than playing like Philadelphia Pigeons!  The Eagles must purpose to pound the Patriots offensively and defensively for four quarters or the Patriots will pound them into pigeons! That’s the formula to dethrone the defending champions. So Philadelphia must fly like an Eagle! That is my pregame analysis but now I will turn our attention to the spiritual gridiron given by our God. We have an adversary, an opponent, who enjoys an impressive record of ruining, wrecking and wasting lives. He doesn’t show up just to compete in your spiritual life but to conquer you.
 
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a (KJV)
 
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
 
In our opening text, Paul points us to a powerful truth that we need to park in as it relates to our spirituality and faith: We are more than conquerors! Notice he did not say that we will one day be conquerors against our three-headed enemy (Satan, flesh and the world). He says that we are, at this moment, more than conquerors!
 
Consider with me the following thoughts:
 
The word, “Conqueror” means to gain a victory.  Biblically, to conquer is to be victorious over an adversary. To be "more than a conqueror" means we not only achieve victory, but we are completely dominant in victory, as in “no contest” and have extremely overmatched the opponent. Paul proclaims that we dominate the devil as opposed to be dominated by him.
 
Therefore, Christian, are you choosing to conduct yourself as a Champ or a Chump?

A champ is a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.  We conquered the enemy with the Cross of Christ because it is the Power of God! In addition, we are clothed in His righteousness and victory and we walk in His Word (playbook)!
 
A chump is someone who does not understand the basics of life on earth. This person is confused easily. The B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) is not the chump’s playbook or guidelines. Consequently, a chump is consistently taking advantage of and consistently clothing himself in the robe of confusion as oppose to the robe of a champion.

I close with a comparison and it’s up to you to make the call! Champ versus Chump:

CHAMP
Courageous in challenges
Handles responsibility
Available for service
Masters his emotions
Positioned the power of Christ       

CHUMP
Coward in challenges
Hides from responsibility
Unavailable for service
Mastered by his emotions
Positioned the power of Carnality

For the Glory of God,
 
PBKSR