VICTORY!!!

Hurrah! Our team won!
Yay! I accomplished that huge goal!

The victory the Apostle Paul was talking about was much different, much bigger.

Before these words, Paul had written this oft-quoted words, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Then he wrote, “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.”

THAT is the victory we have through Christ Jesus. The victory over sin that leads naturally to death. Only something or Someone incredibly powerful could interrupt that natural progression, and that’s exactly what Jesus’ sinless life, torture, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension did.

Not only did He interrupt that progression,

He crushed it.

When we choose to walk in the Way and follow the Truth, He is and gives us Life. He washes us absolutely clean of all our sins … even THAT one. Yes, that one, too.

Under the Law, sin is powerful and victory over it unattainable. Through Jesus, we are able to walk on the sin that previously defeated us. We can march up that unscalable mountain and plant the flag of victory right on top. NOT because we’ve done anything special, but because Jesus did.

Now, we can’t get too cocky about this, thinking we’re all that and a bag of chips. We. Didn’t. Do. It.

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭

Once we have our victory over sin and death, we have to be careful to keep our eyes on the One who handed that victory to us. Otherwise, we’re going to run ourselves right back into the thick of sin. Our eternal life will be secure, and nothing will ever separate us from God’s love, but we will remove ourselves from His presence.

If we will rest in the Truth of our win over sin through Christ, trusting Him to protect us and guide us in our everyday walking-around life, our battle is won. When we take the reins and try to do it on our own …

Let’s take a look back at the things Jesus’ sacrifice has rescued us from. Maybe spend some time today thanking Him for that rescue and praising God for it.

No more cowering at the thought of sin, Believer. You are the VICTOR! Now to walk like one. You can do it, just hold tightly to the Savior.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.