Victory in Jesus

I Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Victory...I enjoy winning. I like being on the winning team. Today, if we are born again believing Christians, we are on the winning team. Jesus told us in John 16 that He has overcome the world. Here in Corinthians, the Apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ, death is also defeated. We are on the winning team! What does that mean for us? It means that no matter what happens to us or what we experience here on earth, in the end, we have victory. That victory, however, is not to our credit. The credit for that victory goes to Jesus who sacrificed Himself to pay for our sins. In this chapter we are reminded to be vigilant about the company we keep. Why? Because even though we are in Christ, and have ultimate victory over sin, bad company can corrupt, and hinder, our walk with Jesus. Not sinning is a choice. However, in Christ, we have the strength to choose not to sin, and if we stumble, He is always ready to hear our confession, when we repent, and turn back to Him, all the while securing our salvation, because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. You see, because of Jesus we do not have to be imprisoned by sin, guilt, or anything else that tries to oppress us. Our ultimate victory, in Jesus, is victory over death, and the grave. Hell no longer has a hold on us. We can move forward, and stand strong, in our service for God, because no matter what happens, as God's children, our final destination is to be present with the Lord. In Jesus, we have the ultimate victory, for even if we die, we live! We must continue to march forward, eyes on Him, serving Him, and enduring whatever comes, as soldiers of the Cross! Praise be to the One who defeated death, and gives us the ability to live a life of victory! Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Praise be to Jesus, our Lord and Savior!