VICTORY THROUGH THE CROSS
\”For it was by God\’s own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son\’s blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven. At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought. But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence. You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel. It is of this gospel that I, Paul, became a servant—this gospel which has been preached to everybody in the world.\” Col 1:19 -23 (GNB)
So amazing! God made peace with us through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus bore it all – all that is required to reconcile us to God. God imputed in him the iniquity of us all; he suffered for sin and died; but he also rose again for our justification. He was offered as a sacrifice for sin once, and God was satisfied! He conquered death and the grave. Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory?
Jesus said ‘it is finished’. The power of hell over us is finished, the power of sin over us is finished, and the influence of the world system over us is finished. The transaction is finished, the price is fully paid. The judgement duly served, Jesus paid it all. We are free! Halleluyah.
Christ took our filthiness and clothed us with his righteousness so we can stand blameless before the throne of God on the account of Christ. We have been accepted in the beloved, we are justified fully by faith in his accomplished work at Calvary. Justified fully through Calvary’s love; oh, what a standing is ours!
What more shame could the King of kings be subjected to? Cruel mocking soldiers, high priests watching to execute an offender of the Law of Moses who himself is the giver of the law. Untold agony on the cross yet men stood to his face and asked him to come down from the cross and they would believe him – “he saved others but he cannot save himself”. If Jesus have responded, our eternal doom would have been sealed and the work of salvation terminated. But he did not dance to their tune. He knew why he came and the suffering was a part. The shame and death he must go through until death is swallowed up in victory and the victory won. Oh, glory to Jesus – by the wisdom that was kept from the foundation of the world, which was fulfilled in the eyes of men – he conquered all.
Oh, what peaceful rest of the redeemed soul. He has peace that no trouble or tribulation in the world can perturb. Inward lies an assurance of victory over sin, the world, Satan and his host. A blessedness of friendship with God, having Christ enthroned on our heart. Yes, Jesus paid the price by the suffering in his body.
He was offered up once and for all and our eternal redemption accomplished. But you must surely accept this free gift of salvation to partake in this tremendous victory. If you are yet to accept Jesus, this is another opportunity to give Him your life, accept His Lordship over your soul and He will give you rest both here and eternally. Have you accepted Him? Then you must stand firm in the victory whereby Christ has made you free and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery and to the lies of Satan.
Remain victorious in Jesus! Halleluyah!
