Caleb The Conqueror

Caleb the Conqueror (Josh. 14:6-15)

We all admire Caleb as a man of faith, but do we seek to emulate him as a one called to be a conqueror?

Paul tells us that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us in Romans 8:37. Why then are not more people living, acting and seeing results as conquerors? Could it be that they are not following the faith of people like Caleb.

Fact: Gallup polls tell us that less than 2% of Christians in America have led another person to faith in Jesus Christ.

Fact: Less than one-third of one percent of giving goes toward reaching the 90% of the unreached people groups that are in the 10/40 window.

Fact: If we are not conquering we are being conquered by something.

Fact: Even a watermelon seed conquers its environment as it produces fruit more than 100,000 times its original weight.

Let us look at Caleb’s traits that allowed him to fulfill God’s will for His life as a conqueror:

1. COURAGEOUS - Caleb remembered the words God gave to Joshua, "BE strong and courageous and act. Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work of the house of God is finished." (Josh 1:9) Courage is the capacity to face danger or difficult for a cause. WE have all the encouragement we need in Christ if we will only appropriate it for His purposes. David wrong, "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the Lord." (Psa 27:14) We gain strength when we tap in to God’s courage, power and strength. Paul wrote, "God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline." (2 Tim. 1:7) Why then are so many Christians afraid of offending people? Could it be that they fear men more than God?

2. CONTROLLED - Caleb’s heart, soul, strength and mind were controlled by God. Only when we surrender the controls of our life to the Lord will we be able to know what it is like to live a life as a conqueror. Otherwise, we will tend to live in the flesh rather than by the power of the Spirit. Gallup released a poll indicating that only 6% of Christians are living life with a Biblical worldview. The rest are more or less in a survival mode.

3. COMMISSIONED - Just like Caleb we have all been commissioned by God to go and possess the land. New Testament believers are given this commission in five places in the new Testament but particularly in Matt. 28:18-20. To be commissioned is to be give the authority to carry out a task of one’s commander. Do not think that Jesus gave the commission only to a few, but to all who are His children. To fail to obey the great commission is sin and will result in His chastening for being guilty of the sin of omission.

4. CONVICTIONS - Caleb demonstrated that he was a man of deep convictions. To have convictions is to be firmly and fully persuaded about something. Some people have convictions that are not based on truth, but not Caleb. He said, "I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." (Josh 14:7,8) Let us live by our convictions so that there will be no doubt where we stand regarding our believes, ideals and practices.

5. CONFIDENT - Caleb expressed a firm trust, reliance and certainty that the Lord would fight the battles for him and give victory. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. (I John 5:4,5) Caleb said, "Give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day... the Lord helping me I will drive them out just as he said." (Josh 14:12,13) We can be confident as conquerors for Jesus Christ and the great commission because of the promise in Phil. 4:13 which says, "I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."

6. CONSISTENT - Caleb was just as much of a conqueror in his youth as in his old age. He finished the race well. He said, "The Lord has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses. So here I am today eighty five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out. I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." (Josh 14:10,11) Let us remain faithful, reliable, available and teachable throughout our life without any variance.