Victory Has Been Secured

06.03.09

J.A. Matteson

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." 1 John 5:4

The Lord Jesus Christ alerted His followers that trouble awaited them in a fallen world ruled by the prince of darkness, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

As Satan opposed the Son of God on earth he directs the full force of his fiendish arsenal at pilgrims who follow the Lamb of God, individuals who are His rightful property, the redeemed who have been purchased by His atoning blood, “…you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, [even the blood] of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

And while the current of demonic influences in the world are formidable and apart from His seed abiding within it would be impossible to withstand their onslaught, victory has been secured for pilgrims by the Lord Jesus on Calvary, by grace through faith they are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as a pledge of their inheritance. The indwelling Spirit not only gifts pilgrims with eyes to see and ears to hear, but by His grace enables them—empowers them—to stand fast in the hour of overwhelming difficulty to the honor and glory of their Master. And it is precisely at this point, when the pilgrim takes a stand for the King and His Kingdom, that the powers of hell are enraged, their fires kindled, their sinister intent directed at the pilgrim who is the ambassador of the King of Glory.

Perplexing to the world is the sinner turned saint whereby prior affections for ungodliness have been supernaturally obliterated and replaced with heavenly ones. Pilgrims are separated unto holiness from the demonic current of the world, mortifying within themselves daily the former passions that governed their lives, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived” (Col. 3:5-7).

It is the spiritual intersection of the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of God where the pilgrim perpetually lives, and as the cultural current of ungodliness presses against the saint he does not move with it—for His seed abides within him—and is, therefore, often described by the world as intolerant, hateful, narrow minded, bigoted and the like, a nonconformist needing to be silenced. Irrespective of taunts the pilgrim remains standing as the swirling current of the world vainly seeks to erode his footing, yet his foundation is upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ and he is not moved, he has been given the victory—his faith. And faith does not disappoint as His promises are as sure as the dawn of the morning sun, “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Rom. 10:11).

Faithful is the Lord to draw near to His holy ones in times of temptation, thwarting the bait of Satan to entangle them in the cares of the world, for the Lord knows how to deliver His children in their time of need. Rejoice, rejoice pilgrims of the King for your Redeemer lives, making intercession for you that your faith shall not fail! Stand fast when the storm winds blow and the ground shakes beneath your feet, when the sea waves rise around you and darkness falls as a heavy cloak, fear not dear pilgrim “…because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).

You are blessed when the world speaks evil of you for His names sake, when your righteousness is met with scorn and your appeals with contempt. Stand firm, therefore, as children of Light, shine forth the Gospel of salvation to all men in all places that by all means some might be saved.

Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever...." Isaiah 40:8)