Victorious Living

by E. Stanley Jones

E. Stanley Jones wrote Victorious Living in 1936 to respond to inquirers who had come to him morally and spiritually defeated. They were inwardly beaten, thus outwardly ineffective. The book responds with individual and social emphases, and goes step by step, as if on a ladder, to work through the pressing questions of the inner life and how it extends outward: How do we achieve a life evidencing the peace that passes understanding, even in ourselves, let alone passing it on?

What makes the difference between ordinary living and extraordinary, victorious living? How can we build a new inner strength that shines through in our outward character and relationships? Our own efforts to rise above are ineffective but by applying the power of God’s Word we can close the gap between our reality and our beliefs. Each daily reading offers essential truths and eternal principles: keys to victorious living in the circumstances we encounter every day! Now this vibrant work is making a long deserved comeback, with a new foreword by Leonard Sweet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Devotional

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned in 1936, Victorious Living by E.Stanley Jones became my companion in 2012. I received it as a gift from a mentor and admit that I would not have bought it because in todays church culture the word victorious has become synonymous with prosperity teachings. Early on Jones states that victory is joy, not having success, which leads me to believe that if he were alive today, he would have chosen a different word. This book is a spiritual tune up, in 365 days Jones addresses almost every doubt and conflict that a follower of Christ's teachings will face. He openly writes about issues that the church has often swept under the carpet. Nothing is taboo; morality, sexuality, economics, money, and ethics.

It is a devotional (daily readings from Jan 1 to Dec 31 based on the Holy Bible) that challenged me, at times angered me, and you'll find angry notes to the author in the margins of my copy. The truth often hurts but comes with a promise to set us free. Jones is as relevant today as he was in 1936, he saw that rise and fall of countries in WWII and devoted his life to India, a country steeped in colonialism. He does not shrink back from the hardest questions asked and his musings are authentic. It is that authenticity that makes Victorious Living relatable. I recommend this book unreservedly. Victory indeed!

[Adam Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Christ of the Indian Road by the same author, I knew I needed to hear more from this man who clearly knew Jesus and followed him with a full heart. I picked up his year long devotional he wrote in response to a woman's question of "How: how do you follow Jesus like you do?" I have never read a daily devotional before, but I am glad I began doing so with this one. While the title may come across as a bit cheesy, or even in the line of "health & wealth gospel" nonsense, I assure you it is nothing but rich wisdom drawn from a deep well of living water and entirely practical. If you are looking for a good daily way to spend time with the Lord, or are curious how to move into a more profound and life-ful existence with our Lord, then this is a must read.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though written in the 1930’s, I was struck again and again how Jones in many ways was ahead of his time. On numerous occasions I would have thought this 365 daily devotional was written last year and not ninety years ago!
His love and depth in the Lord coupled with his desire to display Christ as the answer for the present world, are clearly evident throughout the pages.
I definitely will be reading more from E.Stanley Jones in the future.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful devotional to delve into all year. E. Stanley Jones is full of such strong wisdom & deep faith to apply to our lives. Insightful , caring, compassionate, & caring about the world we live in, & of how, through Christ, we can live victoriously.