Monday, 20 April 2015
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Paul’s pen now rejoices as the ink flows to the paper. You can almost hear his heart pounding with joy as he pens these words. An entire chapter of instruction and information concerning the resurrection of Christ, and what it means to us, has been written and as he closes in on the end of his thoughts, he bursts into an ode of thanks, “But thanks be to God…!” It was God who sent His Son into the world on our behalf. It was God who allowed His Son to die on the cross, thus paying man’s sin debt. And it was God who raised Him from the dead, having accepted His work. All of this came from the mind of God and from His eternal counsel for the sake of His wayward creatures.
And so Paul gives thanks to God “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In this, the word “gives” is a present participle. His words are so sure of the future victory that he states them as being accomplished in us already. In essence, “He is giving us the victory…” We can think of a battle between warring parties and one side is not only winning, but assured of winning. The leader of the army could say, “God is giving us the victory” as an encouragement to the men still fighting. This is comparable to what Paul is saying here. We have no need to worry if we slip or fall along the way. Instead, we have absolute assurance of the victory which is being accomplished!
Life application: Everything we do during the day, even if it seems a hindrance to our walk with the Lord, can be included in our mental thoughts of the victory which lies ahead. If things get difficult, we can still say to ourselves, “God is giving me the victory despite this.” What a reassuring thought as we trudge through the muck and mire of this earthly existence. Let us be unwavering in our faith of the good end which Christ’s work has already achieved for us!
Thank You, O God, that the battle is already won. You are now giving us the victory which has been attained through the work of Your Son. He died, paying our sin-debt. He fulfilled the law, nailing it to the cross. He broke open the gates of death. All of this came from Your wisdom and love for Your creatures. As we walk along each day, we have the absolute assurance that the battle is won and we are being given that victory as we head to glory. Hallelujah and Amen!