Victory In Christ
The victory has been won! Sin and death have been defeated. The King of kings who lives and reigns over all creation has given us the victory! Though we may struggle in our mortal bodies, within us dwells the eternal promise of everlasting life. All those in Christ will never again experience sickness, death, and sorrow in the presence of God where our eternal home will be. The Scriptures we learned this month remind us about the victory that has been given to us in Christ Jesus who championed sin and death reigning forevermore.
1. God gives Us The victory
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4, NIV). Just as God fought the battles for the Israelites, so does He fight the battles for us. It is important to remember that the previous generation who experienced the Exodus did not get to see the promise land because of their doubt, disobedience, and unbelief. Instead of trusting God, they complained. The second generation received the promise that was meant for their ancestors. To receive all that God has for us, we must humble ourselves to the will of God everyday.
2. Victory Is In Christ
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV). Because Jesus has defeated sin and death, we can receive His strength with the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us in love and His righteousness. Though we may experience difficulty in this life, the eternal hope of our salvation burns brighter than any struggle or calamity we may experience. We can do all things in Christ who gives us strength.
3. Victory Is More Than A Conqueror
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, NIV). We are more than conquerors because of the sacrificial love of God who empowers our lives with the Holy Spirit. The best earthly example of a conqueror is less than who we are in Christ. The victory has been won. Jesus satisfied the payment of sin with His own body and blood, resorting us back to God. The enemy has been defeated, Jesus gives us the victory, He conquered it all.
4. Victory Puts On The Full Armor of God
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13, NIV). The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth, and the shoes of peace must be put on daily. The helmet of salvation is knowing the price that was paid for our redemption. We go into battle with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. We have been given the breastplate of righteousness from God in Christ Jesus. Putting on the belt of truth is binding ourselves with the truth of God's word. We put on the shoes of peace as peacemakers living in the world but not of the world as ambassadors of Christ to whom we belong. The armor of God has been given to us to fight every battle to receive the victory in Christ who calls us more than conquerors as we march on to our eternal home.
Video Lecture: Victory In Christ
Jonathan Michelsen, M.A., B.S.