Victory in Jesus: Finding Hope in a World of Defeat
In a world where defeat often feels like the norm, where stress, struggle, and worry seem to be constant companions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck. The daily news cycle bombards us with reasons to be anxious, and the challenges of life can leave us feeling like we're barely keeping our heads above water. But what if there was a different perspective? What if, despite the appearances, victory was already ours?
This idea isn't just wishful thinking; it's rooted in a profound spiritual truth. The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, declared, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). This victory isn't something we have to strive for or earn—it's already been won on our behalf.
Consider the fascinating historical parallel of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. American forces, led by Andrew Jackson, achieved a decisive victory against the British. The irony? The war had already been won weeks earlier with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. Due to slow communication, the soldiers fought and won a battle in a war that was already over. In many ways, this mirrors the spiritual reality of followers of Christ.
The gospel—which literally means "good news"—isn't a set of instructions on how to be a better person. It's an announcement of what Jesus has already accomplished for us. Just as Roman messengers would run to declare victory after a battle, the New Testament authors proclaimed the victory of Jesus over sin and death. This victory changes everything about how we approach life.
Living in light of this victory doesn't mean denying the real challenges and sorrows we face. Instead, it gives us a supernatural buoyancy, an ability to bounce back in the face of adversity. We don't have to be trapped by guilt, shame, worry, or anxiety. While these feelings may come, they don't have the final say in our lives.
The resurrection of Jesus guarantees two profound realities that can transform how we live:
1. The Death of Death
Death, the ultimate enemy that looms over humanity, has been defeated. Paul boldly declares, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). This doesn't mean we won't face physical death, but it does mean that death no longer has the final word in our story.
Understanding this truth allows us to see our current struggles in a new light. As Paul puts it, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Every pain, every setback, every disappointment we face is temporary in light of eternity.
This perspective can radically change how we approach relationships, work, and even our daily challenges. Instead of being consumed by temporary frustrations, we can choose to view our circumstances through the lens of eternity. A difficult conversation with a spouse, a challenging project at work, or a moment of patience with a child—all of these can be seen as opportunities to live out the victory we already have in Christ.
2. The Power to Persevere
Knowing that our efforts are not in vain gives us the strength to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Paul exhorts believers to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
This truth infuses meaning into every aspect of our lives. Those late-night prayers for a wayward child, the sacrificial giving that goes unnoticed, the kind word spoken to a struggling colleague—none of these are wasted in God's economy. Every act of faith, love, and obedience is building something eternal, even if we can't see the results in the moment.
Consider the powerful example of Adoniram Judson, a missionary who wrote to his future father-in-law, asking permission to take his daughter to the mission field. He didn't sugarcoat the potential hardships—danger, persecution, and even the possibility of death. Yet he asked if the father could consent to all this "for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God?" This kind of radical commitment only makes sense in light of the victory we have in Christ.
Living in Victory
Embracing the victory we have in Christ doesn't mean denying the reality of suffering or pretending that life is always easy. Instead, it means viewing our current circumstances through the lens of eternity. As author Randy Alcorn beautifully puts it, "Earth is an in-between world touched by both Heaven and Hell... For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven."
This perspective invites us to live differently—to face challenges with hope, to love sacrificially, to forgive radically, and to serve joyfully. It reminds us that our choices matter, that our lives are writing a story that extends beyond this temporal world.
The invitation is clear: to receive the victory of Jesus by receiving Jesus himself. This isn't about following a set of rules or trying harder to be good. It's about surrendering to the life of Christ in us, allowing His victory to become our reality.
In a world that often feels marked by defeat, we can choose to live as those who know the end of the story. We can face each day with the confidence that comes from being on the winning side of history. So let us stand firm, let us abound in the work of the Lord, and let us live as those who know that in Christ, victory is already ours.