RESURRECTION SAVES

It can be easy to get excited about the battle that we’ve been called to fight—when everything is going well—when we’re experiencing victory, achievement, success, and the recognition that often accompanies such success. But what about when the battle hasn’t gone well? What about when we find ourselves battered and bruised spiritually and emotionally by an enemy that once again succeeded in attacking our weaknesses.

Perhaps we are embarrassed by that one thing in our past. We let the fear of discovery lead us to avoid putting on the belt of truth. Then the rest of our armor simply falls apart in the middle of the battle. Or maybe we aren’t really living that authentic, righteous life, the way we know we should. When the enemy attacks with accusation or temptation, we quickly succumb to the pressure and abandon the fight. We might lack the peace that we should have in the good news, or not be spending time in the Bible sharpening our weapons, or we simply don’t have the faith left to fight. So often we come out of the battle feeling guilty and ashamed of the ways we’ve failed.

In his letter, the apostle Peter acknowledges that on this side of eternity, we will suffer grief in all kinds of trials. But he also tells us that we have been given a living hope in the resurrection of Jesus. He goes on to say that we have an inheritance that can never perish. No matter how bad the battle goes in the here and now, we have the assurance that we are “shielded by God’s power” until the victory is won once and for all.

In his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave, Jesus won the ultimate victory. Paul writes to the Corinthians that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” He then goes on to explain that the sting of death is sin. Those things in your past or present that the enemy keeps using against you—because of Jesus’ death and resurrection—they have no power over you. Whatever the reason for your defeat, Jesus is still greater!

Paul follows this exciting news with a familiar call. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.” Stand firm. Not because we are so powerful and are guaranteed to prevail, but because Jesus is, has, and will.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your incredible grace. Despite my sins and failures, you chose to lay down your life on my behalf. In your great power, you overcame death, so that I could have life and hope in your resurrection. Lord, there are so many times that I fail to stand firm. (Spend some time confessing these to him.) Thank you, Jesus, that my inheritance is assured because of your perfect power, and not my feeble attempts. Please help me to be diligent in my preparation for the battle. And in you, to stand firm. Amen.