Gamer – a person who plays video games or participates in role-playing games (dictionary.com)
Almost everyone I know, to some degree, is a gamer. Whether on the phone or some other electronic device, we have all played games to pass time. In playing these games we inevitably reach a level we struggle to beat. We get to a point where the game finally offers to sell us boosters or hints to help us advance. No one likes to send money on such a frivolous thing and yet after many losses, we find ourselves tempted. This happened to me earlier this week. I had struggled for days with a level when, voila! I beat the level. I started thinking about my struggles with my sins.
Sometimes the grind to overcome a certain sin seems overwhelming. I wonder if this sin will ever be a part of my past instead of the constant, daily, sometimes hourly, struggle. Satan seems to remind me that I cannot overcome and to tell me I should just give in and let him reign in my heart. I struggle. And then one day, I realize that particular sin hasn’t bothered me as before. The times between fails have slowly been becoming farther and farther apart. This specific temptation is no longer a problem.
“There’s a peace I’ve come to know; though my heart and flesh may fail. There’s an anchor for my soul. I can say, “It is well”. Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He is risen from the dead.” (lyrics from “I Will Rise” by Chris Thomlin)
The Master Tempter has been defeated, allowing us to advance to the next level in life. Through Jesus Christ we can eventually conquer the final obstacle (death) and attain the ultimate prize (heaven). (Revelation 12:10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58)