Victory
British indie-rock band The Smiths sum up reality: There are...two kinds
of trouble in this world: living, dying. Life is both challenging and
joyful, punctuated with defeat and triumph. At the end of life is
death - not pessimism, just fact.
Victory in life and death comes only through God. Jesus
Christ completely defeated the power of death and sin through his crucifixion
and resurrection (see Death and Sin). Jesus' victory is our victory. Christians
overcome spiritual battles against the schemes of the devil and the temptations
of the world (see World) through reliance upon the Holy Spirit's power.
When Christians die, it is far from a loss because we gain eternal life
in heaven.
The Israelites experienced victory in military
terms - battles and wars won - only when they were trusting (see Trust)
in the Lord.
Judges 12:3
2 Samuel 23:10
Psalm 21:1-5; 44:6-7
Through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has won the victory
over our spiritual death: We have been brought back to God
John 16:33
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
We have victory over the temptations and traps of the world because
we believe in Jesus.
Romans 12:21
1 John 5:4
And at the end of the world, the Lord will have complete victory
over Satan.
Revelation 17:14
Don't let anything keep you from following God. As in a race,
the one who finishes the race (lives the Christian life to the end) receives
the prize.
2 Timothy 2:5
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