Victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

The apostle Paul gives expression to the gratitude of his heart for a unique victory that is assured to all who exercise a firm faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. He is shouting for joy because of the confidence he has in the ultimate victory that we will have through our faith in Jesus.

Paul has concluded his classic statement on the resurrection of Christ. He has expressed his confidence and conviction that those who trust Jesus Christ will also experience this victory over death and the grave. His heart sings with joy and thanksgiving.

Through Christ we have victory over the penalty of sin, which is death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Through Jesus we can have victory over the power of sin. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Through Jesus we will one day have victory over the very presence of sin. Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Sooner or later suffering becomes the part of virtually everyone that lives. For some, suffering is a crushing blow that shatters them beyond human repair.

How can we face suffering, disappointment, or defeat in a victorious manner?

Paul discovered that by being a follower of Jesus Christ did not make us immune from hardship in this life. There is no promise of exemption from suffering or living above suffering just because we have faith and live a life of faith.

Paul did discover one thing, though, he discovered that the grace of God is the strength to allow us to be victorious and it gives us the knowledge to be victorious. This is a victory that we can have no matter what it is that we are faced with. It doesn’t matter if we are facing hardships, trials, tribulations or any other kind of suffering, God will give us the strength to get through it. We can have this same assurance that Paul had, if we will just keep our hearts open and let Jesus have complete control of our thoughts, minds, and spirits. Through Christ we have the capability to move from tragedy into triumph.

When we do face death, we can be thankful. I know that does not make a lot of sense to us right now, but listen to it again, when we face death, we can be thankful. The last enemy that we will face as a human being is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. From a human perspective, it may seem like death wins the victory over everyone that has ever lived. Jesus, though, came to demonstrate that life is more powerful than death. He came to taste death for every person. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. He came to put death to death, destroying its power. Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. He came to deliver us from the fear of the power of death. Hebrews 2:15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Jesus came to die for us so we might not have to die. He affirmed that his victory over death should be taken as proof that we would also be rescued from death and that we would live just like he did.

First Corinthians 15 is the classic New Testament passage that affirms that through Jesus Christ we will have victory over Satan, sin, death and the grave. That is why it is so logical that this chapter would end with an anthem of praise and with a challenge to faithfulness in working for the Lord Jesus.

Victory is a beautiful word for the ones that are victorious. Through Jesus Christ we are assured victory in the game of life in which everything is at stake.

Daily we need to give our thanks to God for the joy and assurance of this coming victory. To realize the full significance of this should bring joy to our hearts. Hearts that are filled with joy will find a way to share and communicate this joy with other people. Our expressions of thanksgiving and joy should make other people want to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Every day we should be giving thanks to God that gives us the victory through Christ Jesus.