The gift behind door number 14 of our Advent calendar is one we too easily forget about. The sure victory we have in Christ is a precious reality that should inform every aspect of our lives, from the smallest detail to the most devastating suffering. But we too easily forget that the war has been won.
In this chapter of Gifts of Grace, Jared Wilson relates the story of David and Goliath. This is probably one of the most misinterpreted stories in scripture and has been twisted and manipulated by many ill-informed teachers to prove a myriad of untruths. Whenever I think of this famous tale I immediately hear Matt Chandler yelling at a large congregation: “You are not David!” Watch the video below:
The ultimate victory over sin and death was achieved by Christ when he walked out of his grave on Resurrection Sunday. After He died on the cross and was buried, the man Jesus Christ walked out of his grave! And as he did, he defeated the last great enemy: death. The resurrection of Jesus was evidence of the resurrection of all Christians. If we belong to him, we will receive a new body like his, perfectly suited for a new heaven and earth beyond anything we have seen or can imagine. All because “the Lord has truly risen!”
It is the most important aspect of our faith as it demonstrates that He overcame sin, and therefore our deepest enemy – death. We need not fear anything, not even death as Paul writes “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) Because Jesus overcame death, we can be certain of our resurrection because death is not final.
“Let us never forget that all of the wonderful beauty of our holiday celebrations are merely symbols of the spoils of victory achieved by Jesus and given to us in a ransacking of the enemy’s camp. We too get to conquer sin, death and the grave – even from the comfort of our Christmas couch.” – Jared Wilson
When our circumstances and trials fill us with fear of the unknown or we face the reality of suffering that never seems to end, we can know that it will end. And when all is said and done even when we die we will be with Christ because he has conquered death. Not even death can separate us from his love. Yet, we have an even greater hope that we will be with Christ for all eternity. It is a sure thing!
“We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed…The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
If you would like to read more about why The Joyful Victory of Easter Sunday, check out this post:
Don’t forget to visit our Facebook group to share your thoughts on Christ’s victory:
One of my favourite songs that celebrates the final victory of Jesus is The War is Over by Josh Baldwin. Enjoy listening.
