Victory in Jesus Christ
We are not here to be overcome, but to rise unvanquished after every knockout blow, and laugh the laugh of faith, not fear. Amy Carmichael
As followers of Jesus Christ, here in this world we live in, the spheres we journey in will experience difficulties and hardships. However, we are indeed not here to be overcome, but to rise up and overcome! To rise up and be victorious!
This is what the Word says in 1 John5:4-5(ESV)
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Our faith in Jesus as the Son of God is what gives us access to that victory. The victory that Jesus brought about for us when He died on the cross, and cancelled the record of charges against us. He did this by nailing it to the cross. When He did this, the slate of charges against us was wiped clean (Colossians 2:14-15 ). And on the slate is now written:
Forgiven, Redeemed, Set Free.
This status we now have gives us power and authority over the spiritual rulers and authorities. These spiritual rulers and authorities will try to usurp the status that we have acquired through the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, and will sow seeds of lies in our hearts and minds. These lies come from the enemy of our souls, Satan, who is the Father of lies (John 8:44). The NIV version puts it this way,
“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
When Satan sows his seeds of lies into our hearts and minds, they grow and take root. They grow into fear, anxiety, worry, a sense of worthlessness and even despair and hopelessness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not powerless to overcome these lies. We have been given the powerful Word of God to negate the lies of Satan. When we speak these powerful truths over our situation, we are able to rise up and declare His victory over the enemy.
The story of Eugene Bartlett bears testament to this. Eugene Bartlett was a successful publisher in the early 20th century. He published his own hymn book, which was in high demand. He also started his own music company that gave writers, singers and musicians opportunities to establish careers in the music industry.
However, at the age of 53, his world, as he knew it, changed dramatically. He suffered a stroke, which left him paralysed and with a limited ability to communicate. It was during these dark days of his life that he penned the well-known hymn Victory in Jesus. This is the first stanza:
O victory in Jesus, my Saviour, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me before I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
Eugene Bartlett knew that he had the victory in Jesus. He knew that he was plunged into that victory through the blood of Jesus. He knew that the love of God had held and carried him throughout his life and gave him the victory even in those dark days of suffering and hardship. He could say:
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
The battle is the Lord’s. 1 Samuel 17:47
When we allow these truths in the Word of God to sink into our hearts and minds, we are able to destroy the lies of Satan. So when we are faced with anxiety, fear, despair and hopelessness, as I’m sure Eugene Bartlett must have succumbed to at times, we can declare these truths over our lives. When we do, we can give all these negative emotions knockout blows. We can laugh the laugh of faith and not allow fear, anxiety, worry, despair and hopelessness to gain footholds in our lives.
Victory over all the circumstances of life comes not by might, nor by power, but by a practical confidence in God and by allowing His Spirit to dwell in our hearts and control our actions and emotions. Learn in the days of ease and comfort, to think in terms of the prayer that follows, so that when the days of hardship come you will be fully prepared and equipped to meet them. Eric Liddell
Reflection
Will you take time to reflect on the negative emotions that you are feeling because of the lies that Satan has planted in your heart and mind? Take time to memorise verses of scripture and declare them over your life.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for the sacrifice you made through your shed blood on the cross. Thank you, that the slate on which my sin and shame had been written has been wiped clean. Thank you that I am chosen, free and forgiven. Help me, Lord, to walk in the freedom and victory that you have given me access to. Help me not to succumb to the lies of Satan. Help me to believe the truths in Your word and to declare them over my life so that I may walk in Your victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
