- 130. Victory Over Death
1 Corinthians 15:54b, 57 Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory….But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The promise is Victory. God gives us the victory. Victory swallows up death. Death is destroyed and victory remains. Everyone loves a winner, and everyone wants to be a winner. No one wants to be a loser, and no one wants to be associated with a loser. The loser in this case is Death. Death appears to have the final say. Death rules over life, and in time death claims every person. But Jesus has the last word. He wins the victory. He destroys Death. And by His death and resurrection He has given that victory over death to us. Now, in Christ we win.
The death of Jesus Christ destroyed the devil who has the power of death, and Christ “delivers all those who through the fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery [Hebrews 2:15]” We who believe in Christ no longer fear death and we are no longer subject to lifelong slavery. We are truly free, but death and the fear of death still tries to hold us in bondage, since all fear, worry and anxiety stems from the fear of death and the little deaths that loss of health and money and security brings. If we are free from fear of death we are also free from all worries. But no one actually lives without worry because we are more prone to live by sight instead of walking by faith. Thus we need this promise.
Taking hold of promises like this Victory Promise is vitally important for the enjoyment of everyday life. This promise is needed because it is not easy to live without worry. Faith in the promise changes how we live life, Victory over Death (and Sin and Satan) is present as well as future.