The Battle
Insights From Vacation Bible School
Living from Victory, Not for It
Oh, Behave!
It started like most playground scuffles do — fast, loud, and full of drama.
Bubba had Eric pinned to the ground, fists flying and pride flaring.
“Stay out of this!” Bubba shouted at the crowd forming around him. “Or you’ll get some too!”
When Miss Marla arrived, she waded into the chaos like a peaceable general. “Boys,” she said firmly, “this is not who we are.”
She dusted them off, looked them in the eyes, and reminded all of us:
“You are the children of a loving God. He sent Jesus to show you that love — so you don’t have to live like orphans anymore.”
Then she prayed over them right there on the playground, the dust of our fight still settling around her feet.
It was one of those moments you don’t forget.
What Happened On That Terrible Yet Great Day
The Cross was the ultimate fight — and the final one.
Jesus didn’t win by striking back; He won by laying down His life.
His blood removed the penalty of sin.
His life released us from its power.
We’re not fighting for victory anymore — we’re fighting from it.
Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
That’s what I call “2:20 Vision.”It’s seeing myself as already dead to the old and alive in the new — no longer striving to win, but learning to walk in what’s already finished.
Saints Who Sometimes Scuffle
We still stumble, still struggle, still throw a few playground punches in our own ways.
But that doesn’t change who we are.
We’re not sinners trying to become saints.
We’re saints learning to stop acting like sinners.
Our identity doesn’t depend on our behavior; our behavior flows from our identity.
And when we fall? Grace doesn’t say, “Try harder.”
It says, “Remember who you are.”
The victory is already won.
Now we get to live like it.
Reflection
Where are you still fighting battles Jesus already won?
What would it look like to live from victory instead of striving for it?
How does knowing you’re already loved change the way you face your daily fights?
Prayer