Path to the unconquerable Christian life

Book Title: The Unconquerable Christian

Author: W. F. Kumuyi

Imprint: Lagos: Life Press Ltd., 2012

Pagination: 90

Reviewer: Chuks Oluigbo

The Unconquerable Christian by W. F. Kumuyi sets out two primary tasks for itself. These tasks, as enunciated by the author in the Introduction, are, “first, to address the problems of ignorance, unbelief, satanic deception, prayerlessness, among others, that have robbed many Christians of requisite spiritual energy for victory; and second, to propel liberated Christians to maximise undeniable spiritual privileges, potentials and possibilities awaiting their faith-adventure”.

This faith-inspiring book is set against the backdrop of the fact that it is the burning desire of every believer to live the invincible Christian life, but oftentimes many find themselves wandering in search of the path to this victorious life.

The book, therefore, takes the reader on a faith-building journey meant to help those who seek to get connected to the divine enabling and sustaining power of God. This journey is presented in seven (chapters) steps as follows: Unusual Offer from Calvary, God’s Abundant Resources, Gateway to the Unconquerable Life, Sacrifice of Victors, Faith and Power of Conquerors, Fighting to Win, and Necessary Partnership of Heaven-bound Saints.

Beginning from the first chapter, the book traces humanity’s journey from creation through the fall in the Garden of Eden, revelation of God’s redemption plan, and Christ’s eventual ultimate sacrifice at Calvary.

Created to live the unconquerable life and have dominion over all created things, man quickly lost his pride of place when he fell out with God through disobedience to divine instruction not to eat the forbidden fruit. By so doing, man attracted to himself “grave and unpleasant consequences”.

But God was not going to leave man helpless in his fallen state. So, He promised, at the same time He was dishing out punishment to man for his disobedience, that “the seed of the woman” would come to liberate mankind and “reverse the consequences of man’s tragic and fatal fall”. That seed, Jesus Christ, would have a definite mission: “to give His life as a sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the whole world”. (p.8)

So began God’s “programme of redemption for fallen man”, which was subsequently revealed in many diverse ways in the course of history, especially through the mouths of holy prophets.

Christ died for the salvation of all mankind, and through Christ’s sacrificial death at Calvary, “God offers salvation, healing and deliverance to everyone” and through the power of Calvary, “every yoke of sin, sickness, ill-luck and misfortune that hold people in bondage can be broken”.

But there is a condition that must be met – belief. The author writes, “It is those who believe this incredible report that will experience the arm of strength of the Lord. In the same vein, if you believe the story of Calvary today, you will experience God’s mighty power for undefeatable living.”

Furthermore, he says, “The moment you acknowledge, repent and confess your sins to God and believe that the substitutionary death is for you, he forgives, cleanses and takes you to a new realm of victorious living.” (p.16)

So, to enter into fellowship and communion with God, there is a foundational step that must be taken, without which “every other attempt to draw from heaven’s resources and live in constant victory would remain a mirage”. (p. 23) That step is reconciliation with God.

Same way, God has provided enough resources to humanity to meet life’s challenges and these resources are available in sufficient quantities for everyone. So, rather than get accustomed to your problems, or tolerate your suffering and endure severe hardship, or get familiar with your difficulties to the extent that you take pleasure in them, just remember that you can change your “situation by drawing on the resources of heaven”. (p.24)

But to draw “on the resources of heaven”, to receive God’s best, to enjoy His blessings, one has to be “willing to play the game of life according to the rules”, “to do His bidding” all the time, and not just “pray and serve God” only in times of difficulty that requires God’s intervention.

To buttress this point, the author says in Chapter 2, “We cannot go our own way, do things our own way, serve Him when it pleases us and expect to have His best. The Almighty God demands that those who would enjoy His best gifts in life must be people who are willing to obey His words.” (p.25)

To further demonstrate that God is ever faithful to His word and that His word is infallible, the author draws inference from God’s past miraculous deeds towards “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, David and other children of Israel” as recorded in the scripture. If God fulfilled His promises in the past, then Christians have every reason to have utmost trust and confidence in Him. “Having spoken the promises, He will ensure their manifestation as He has purposed.” (p.32)

But even though God has purposed an unconquerable life for everyone, there are very important steps that must be taken in order to be launched into the realm of conquerors. These steps are irrefutable conversion, which ensures that “old habits of sin give way to a life of righteousness in Christ”, irrevocable covenant, which “ensures security for our lives through the power of God”, and irreversible consecration, which “gives you an edge over the battles of life”, “sets you on the path of commitment and dedication”, “shuts the door of backsliding behind you and gives you determination to forge ahead in spite of challenges”.

Moreover, to live the life of victors entails what the author calls “Sacrifice of Victors”. Just as Christ relinquished His position and glory in heaven, came down to earth and shed His blood to make atonement for humanity and so fulfil God’s demand for man’s redemption, those who wish to live as victors must also be willing to make certain sacrifices, which include total surrender to the will of God. And for such sacrifice to be acceptable, it must be blameless and undefiled. In other words, “until a person repents, God will not accept any sacrifice from him or her”. As such, “people living in immorality, idolatry and wickedness should first offer their hearts to God in repentance. Afterwards, they should come and offer their services to God”. (p.48)

To navigate through life’s numerous daunting challenges and live the life of conquerors, the author says, also requires faith in God, which “helps us in handling life’s vicissitudes as they come”. Faith in God, however small it is, “can be instrumental to solving our problems. It is key to overcoming challenges and achieving success in life. Through faith believers can grow spiritually to the point that they become terrors to the devil and his agents.” (p.58)

Faith, the author says, is “a major ingredient for success in all areas of our lives – career, business, spiritual life and marriage”. It is “the key that effectuates required changes where they are needed”. (p.64)

It is for this reason, and the fact that “our faith comes under constant and severe attacks from the enemy”, that “we need to invest in developing our faith to be able to enjoy constant victory over our adversaries”. And when God is the source of our faith, that faith is incorruptible such that neither Satan, powers of darkness nor the world can overcome it.

To win life’s battles, therefore, believers must be aware of Satan’s wicked devices and constantly be on the lookout. In all of this, prayer, fasting, praises, blood of Jesus, and word of God are potent weapons of warfare against Satan and his agents.

But while it is wonderful to have a sense of fulfilment on earth, the author reminds believers that their success story goes beyond this world as they are on a journey to the eternal, heavenly home. Like the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, the road may sometimes be rough and tough, requiring endurance, but God assures that His power and protection will carry you through provided you maintain closeness and partnership with Him.

The author, in concluding, reminds us of God’s protection for all who abide in His Word and will. To drive home this point, he quotes elaborately from Psalm 91, where God promises to protect and defend His people “from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence”.

Presented in simple language, The Unconquerable Christian comes as a handy, bold, faith-boosting, easy-to-read book that every Christian should have and read. Its boldness derives from the fact that, at a time many preachers of the Gospel are watering down their teachings in order to retain membership, the book is emphatic in stating that living a sinless life is an absolute precondition for attaining an unconquerable life. Its ample bible quotations make it an easy reference material for every Christian.

 

Chuks Oluigbo