Overcoming by the Cross


(Altarpiece Ghent- Van Eyck 1432- note the cross)

 Jesus the Victorious King Over Death and Evil (Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:57)

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:11) 

13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:13-15- esp. 15)

54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) 

I went to Clemson University and often I tell my friends there- when winning a football or baseball game: "We won!"  There really wasn't a lot of "we."  I didn't go down to the field and sweat and run and push. Yet I am a part of their team as an alumni.  I am on their side and invest myself in the university and buy tickets to see the game- to be at least a participant by yelling and maybe even praying on occasion. 
       God gives us the victory in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).  
      There is a sense in which "we won" when Christ won.  He is the firstborn from the dead.  He made it through the tunnel of death.  Death could not hold Him or destroy Him.  Because He lives, we also will live (John 14:19).  The cross is a symbol of His death- but the empty cross is also a symbol that death could not hold Him.  
       Paul speaks of our victory over sin in this life by the cross: "I have been crucified with Christ.  Nevertheless I live.  Yet not I but Christ who lives in me. And the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).  My old self with its wishes and wants has died with Christ on the cross.  It became real to me, and I triumphed over the power of my sin when I put my faith and trust in Christ who gave Himself for me on the cross.  
        In Colossians we have triumphed over and been set free from our debts by the cross.  It is almost like He has nailed our failures to the cross.  To be debt free is a wonderful feeling.  I can remember when we paid off the last of the cancer bills.  I can remember when we paid off the car- there was a little celebration.  But when we think that our debt of sin has been paid for, it is a great thing.  I can remember seeing someone have a workmate personally pay off their student loans.  It is a freeing thing.  We are free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we're free at last.  Christ has triumphed for us.  We triumph with Him.  Because He lives, we shall live also.  Because Christus Victor, we are victorious too.  
      Today the idea of triumphalism has a bad wrap.  But the real alternative is that there is no triumph.  Truly I want everyone to win with Christ.  It is not something I deserve, it is something given to me by grace and mercy.  It is not my triumph- I am just hanging onto His coattails. 

Application: Rejoice!  Praise God and celebrate the victory that is yours in Christ.   

Prayer: Lord, apart from you I am nothing- I am a loser.  With you I can do all things- I am a winner.  Thank you for the victory of the cross.  




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