Victory from Above

1Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    In this section of Paul’s letter, He is dealing with the terrible effects of sin and death, and as he ponders the things that Jesus has done to reverse the damage, he bursts into praise and thanksgiving. Thankfulness and gratitude are the appropriate responses of one who has been graciously given an undeserved gift, especially one of immense value. When you are raising children one of the fundamental things you want them to learn is to be thankful for everything that they receive in life and, also, to communicate that gratitude. It is difficult not to get a little upset with people who are ungrateful, particularly when they have received a gift that was totally undeserved or called for.

    If I receive a gift, not only am I to be thankful, but I am to thank the one who gave it to me. If my wife gives me a wonderful gift, I don’t thank my son for it. No! I thank the one who purchased it for me, and all wise husbands will do the same. Thanks be to God! He gave me a gift that is beyond price or calculation. It did not cost me a dime, but it did cost. It cost Jesus everything. He gave His all, even His very life to acquire this gift of victory.

    Victory is never free; it always comes through a struggle and the conquest of an enemy. Victory in war comes after a long and intense effort and, most often, at a dreadful price of the loss of many lives. Victory in the boxing arena comes after years of gruelling training, many cuts and bruises and intense fighting. Jesus obtained complete and total victory over satan, sin and hell; indeed, He dealt them a death blow. There is nothing now that can remain standing in the way of any person coming into the experience of Jesus’ victory.

    The victory of Christ was not given to Him, it was procured through His blood, sweat and tears, but now, for us, it is a sheer gift. There is not one thing we could ever do to earn it. Thanks be to God for this gift of victory. He gives it to us. If something is given, then it must also be received for there are always two parties in the transaction. Notice, too, that God doesn’t just give me the victory; He gives us the victory; it is corporate victory; it is federal victory and it belongs to the whole human race.

    Victory is given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the channel through whom God gives that gift. We appropriate the victory of Christ by placing our faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. His death was your death. His burial was your burial. His quickening was your quickening. His resurrection was your resurrection. His triumph was your triumph. Through Him and what He has done, we now can reach out by faith and receive the gift that He offers us. It is a gift that is beyond the calculation of price and it is freely given. Therefore all those who accept this gift and appropriate its power are, in a very real, eternal sense, invincible. There is no weapon formed against us that can ultimately succeed for we are recipients of the gift of Jesus’ victory. He is eternally triumphant and victorious and we are in Him. Thanks be to God for this great gift!