Triumph, Victory, Overcoming.
By P. H. Brock
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Col. 2:15. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21. The foregoing scriptures have a wonderful significance in the plan of salvation. Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world to do for man a work that man could not do for himself. The scriptures quoted show that Jesus did that work. To the Father he said, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4. In order to save fallen humanity from the bondage of sin, Jesus stepped in between man and Satan, who had led not only men but angels to transgress God’s holy law. The Saviour met the enemy in open conflict. He entered the strong man’s house, bound him, and spoiled his goods. The victory was complete. He triumphed over man’s enemy in every sense of the word; in fact, Jesus overcame, or overpowered Satan. In every temptation, in every trial, in every controversy with Satan, Jesus was victorious. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He will give us victory over every besetment, over all our evil traits of character. In his name we can overcome everything that would lead us to sin. Sin must be repented of and confessed to God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Cleansing and purifying us from sin is the work of God. And when our sins are forgiven, we are promised the power of God to keep us from sinning. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. We are admonished not to sin; but if we do, we shall be forgiven if we repent of it and confess it. Praise God for forgiveness of sins! Praise him for power to keep us from sinning!