We have Victory in Christ Jesus

(1 Thessalonians 2:18-20)

This scripture today shows us that even though we may make plans, they do not always go as planned. Apart from things going awry through normal causes we have the added difficulty of a spiritual enemy. The devil is always seeking to tear us down and trying to separate us from Christ.

This is one of the certainties we will all face as Christians. We will suffer and be attacked by the devil. That is as sure as night follows day.

But one of the other certainties we have as Christians is that when we call to Christ Jesus, He will come to our aid. Any time we are suffering or being attacked by the devil, Christ can and will assist us to get through the hard times. We have victory in Christ Jesus.

Satan, the Hinderer

Paul showed us in this scripture today that he had planned to visit the Thessalonians church many times, but the devil hindered him.

18 because we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, again and again–but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

(1 Thessalonians 2:18-20)

This is the work of Satan. He is a constant hindrance to the people of God. It is his plan to destroy God’s people by undermining their faith to draw them back into worldly ways.

He even attempted to drag Jesus down and pull Him away from the way He had to walk by using Peter against Him.

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

This is how the devil works. He sneaks about and attacks from the most unlikely sources and often it is through those who are closest to us.

In the case of Jesus and Peter above, Jesus knew it was Satan working through Peter who was tempting Him to seek a path that would not lead to His death. But Jesus knew that was the path He had to take so that salvation could come to all mankind who would believe.

And we know only too well how Satan entered into Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.

The devil is the great hinderer and his aim is to drag man down. He wants to destroy mankind. Satan isn’t trying to get man on his side for good. He just simply wants to pull as many people down with him so that when he goes to perdition and is flung into the lake of fire on judgement day, he takes as many with him as he can.

His work is to destroy and hinder the progress of people who come to Christ. He knows that by following Christ according to the plan of God, man can come into perfection and live with God forever. So he hinders at every turn.

Jesus the Conqueror

But Jesus has already conquered Satan. Jesus has already won the victory for us if we believe and follow in His ways. God has given us the victory in Christ Jesus already. Here are a few scriptures showing that Jesus is the victor.

33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

There are many others that say similar things showing we have victory in Christ Jesus. They all show that Jesus is the victor and that Satan has been defeated. And this final scripture drives the nail into the coffin of defeat that is reserved for Satan and shows the victory we have in Jesus Christ.

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:7-11)

Note the words of verse 11. We have victory in Christ Jesus given to us to conquer Satan through the blood of Jesus Christ and the word of His testimony.

In Christ we are baptised into His death and by His blood we are set free from sin and the law, which is the power of sin. When these are taken away, the devil loses his power base over people and so we have victory in Christ Jesus.

And the words of the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ teach us about this wonderful salvation we have been given. They show us how we receive His salvation and the full extent of the victory we have in Jesus Christ.

The devil has been thrown down to the earth because he lost the war in heaven. His time is short and he knows it. And now he wants to wage war on the people of God.

But because we hold faith in God and in Jesus Christ, we can have the victory that Christ gives us. We don’t even have to fight. Just hand it over to the Lord and He will fight on our behalf.

And the devil cannot win because he is already defeated in the blood of Jesus Christ.

This is just an extension of the war that waged in heaven when the devil was defeated. Satan couldn’t defeat God, and in Jesus Christ he cannot defeat the people of God when they look to Christ in all things. If we allow the devil to take an inch in our lives, then he will take a mile seeking to destroy us.

That is why we must hold fast our faith in Christ Jesus and walk with Him ALL of the time. The war for the souls of the people of this world and especially the people of God will continue until the time when the Lord comes and puts a final end to the ways of the devil.

That time is soon. So be prepared and look to Christ in all things.

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