Victory

Victory
by Pete Berardi

When Jesus spoke to his apostles, he spoke much wisdom. I would like to refer you to a passage in the gospels at a time where Jesus speaking to his apostles for the last time before being brought to Pilot to be crucified. Consider this verse:

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

There is no doubt that the things of this world are in direct opposition with the things of God. This is why Christians can sometimes lead very rough lives. Paul led a very rough life. Please look at the following verses concerning the trials and tribulations that Paul went through which he attributes to for being a Christian:

II Corinthians 11:24-26 Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren;

Paul is not just talking about his trials and tribulations but Christians in general. Christians suffer for God’s sake. We not only struggle against non-Christians that persecute us but we also need to fight sin. Being obedient to God is not easy sometimes. The temptation of sin can be so great that we lose the battle for our hearts. However there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Look at this verse in 1 John.

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

While it may seem that we are suffering and losing the battle, nothing could be further from the truth. We have won. Christians are victorious. There will be a time when we will be free from the powers of sin. Look at how Paul cries out:

I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

Here, Paul is hoping for his death. He knows that the only way out of the flesh and its trials are through death. Death is usually looked upon as a bad thing however when you read the next verse, it becomes clear that death is freedom from sin.

I Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

As Christians, we must keep hoping for the blessed appearing of our Lord. When we are finally in his presence, we can be free from sin. Being obedient to God will no longer be a struggle.