The Assurance of Our Victory by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

The Assurance of Our Victory

By C. M. S.

THERE is perhaps nothing that brings greater comfort to the Christian than the assurance of God’s purpose to bring the sin and sorrow and suffering in this world to an end, and establish again in this world a kingdom of righteousness.

Because God’s character is a righteous character, his purpose is a righteous purpose. It is unthinkable that in a kingdom of righteousness the righteous purpose of the righteous King should be thwarted and defeated.

God’s purpose concerning this world was such a purpose. It must not be thwarted, else another purpose, a purpose at war with righteousness, would be warring triumphantly against the King of righteousness in his own realm.

While it was God’s purpose that the earth he created should not be a waste, but should be inhabited (Isa. 45:18), it was also his purpose that the beings who inhabited it should be loyal to him, obedient to his laws. The fact that death came into the world through “one man’s disobedience,” shows that life was conditioned upon obedience. “This do, and thou shalt live,” said the Saviour. The same thought is expressed in this language: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed; to love Jehovah thy God, to obey his voice, and to cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days; that thou mayest dwell in the land which Jehovah swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deut. 30:19, 20. The psalmist voices the same purpose of the Creator in these words: “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.” Ps. 37:29. That purpose is carried over into the New Testament. We read in Rev. 21:27 concerning the city of God, after the redemptive work is complete: “There shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie; but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The completeness of the renovation is shown in these words: “But according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13.

Then, in place of death, which reigned for a time, there will be righteousness reigning for an eternity. And righteousness reigns in the universe because it reigns in the hearts of all the happy subjects of that kingdom. “For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17.

That righteousness does finally reign there, and that translated human beings will be there, is because of the provision which God made, through Jesus Christ, and because he proved faithful to the trust reposed in him. “I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isa. 61:10. In place of the “filthy rags” of our own righteousness will be seen the spotless garment of the righteousness of the one whose life and sacrifice purchased back the forfeited possession and unbolted the door of our prison-house.

How certain is it that this purpose of God will be carried out?—As certain as that God lives. He has said it himself in these words referring to the One chosen to fulfil that purpose: “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. . . . He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law. . . . I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.” Isa. 42:1-7.

With that assurance of God’s determination to accomplish his righteous purpose, with that assurance that the Lord will not become discouraged while it remains undone, what reason have we for discouragement, knowing that our redemption is a part of that purpose?

C. M. S.