Title: Three essentials for a victorious life
Zechariah (38) The three elements necessary for a victorious life (Zechariah 12:10-14)
1. The anointing of the Holy Spirit
The phrase ‘grace and a praying spirit’ in verse 10 means ‘the spirit of grace and supplication’ when translated correctly. That is, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is necessary above all else for a victorious life. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is manifested in submission. Some even fall backwards in worship as evidence of submission. Falling like that can be a sign of giving up on self-esteem, giving up on oneself, and deciding to make a new change, but more importantly, obeying the Word and being good at ‘falling in a spiritual sense’ in front of your family or neighbors.
When submitting, remember two principles. First, try to submit to truth and truth. A disposition to obey is a good thing, but if you submit to something wrong, you will be deceived and your soul will suffer. Second, be in constant submission, not just temporary submission. For example, if you fall for a while, get up, dust off the dust, and live the same as before, it is better not to reveal too much of what you have been blessed with.
Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams. The importance of obedience cannot be overemphasized. Always strive to obey with the object of submission correct. Obedience is both a cause and a result of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. If we obey, there is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the life with the anointing of the Holy Spirit again bears fruit as a life of constant obedience, and at that moment the work of victory begins.
2. Mourning Heart
The word 'mourning' is the most common word in the text. The important fruit of the anointing of the Holy Spirit is ‘repentance’. People know that blessings will come immediately when the grace of the Holy Spirit is poured out. Of course, blessings come in the final sense, but the first thing that comes when the Holy Spirit is poured out is a mourning heart, that is, repentance.
All blessings begin with repentance. Repentance is the beginning of the road to blessing and a barometer to check the state of faith. The more you repent, the better your life of faith is, and the better your spiritual condition is. There is one thing to note though. That's the difference between remorse and repentance. Reproach is thinking, “I am hopeless!” and repentance is making a promise, “I will make a fresh start in God!”
Especially, forgiveness and reconciliation are essential when we repent with a heart of mourning. You must not turn away from God and turn your back on the brother you should love. Turning to God also includes breaking down walls with our brothers. If there is no reconciliation, God does not see that we have completely turned to God. Just as parents most want their children to live in harmony, God wants the saints to live without walls.
3. Personal decision
In verses 12-14 of the text, the word that appears the most along with ‘mourning’ is the word ‘separately’. Repentance is done individually before God. Sometimes when I go to a meeting and my heart is warm, I make a decision. Even though the atmosphere of the meeting encourages personal decision-making, the most important thing is to make a new commitment to God with sincerity and coolness. That is the most important starting point to dramatically turn the stream of blessings.
The biggest reason people today suffer from mental illness is not because they don't know the right path, nor because they get hurt a lot, but because they don't have a decision. Many people are afraid of making decisions. Because they fear the side effects of making a decision, the wrong consequences, the after-effects, and the void that comes after achievement. However, the scariest thing is not being able to make the decision itself, not something that comes after making a decision.
In front of the saints there are infinite possibilities and a blessed future. Make the decision to take a strong step towards that blessed future. The earlier you make good decisions, the better. Faith is a decision. Decide even if disillusionment and emptiness are expected after your decision. Faith is a concrete experience, not an escape to unrealistic fantasies. Determination is required to move toward victory through experience. When we make a new decision, God, who works together for good, will give us new work, fruit, and progress.