Victory over sin and death is through Jesus

Have you noticed that this world is beautiful but also brutal, full of life and yet suffering from loss and destruction?

The Apostle Paul once wrote a letter to the believers in Corinth, Greece, reminding them that it’s because of sin (falling short of God’s standards) that death has ravaged the world, causing untold pain.

But Paul went on to say; “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT).

To say we can have victory over sin and death - two of our greatest enemies - is a powerful statement.

It almost sounds too good to be true, except it’s not.

The foundation of Christianity and Christian faith is not only that Jesus died for the sins of the world, but that He was raised back to life for the sake of the world.

Because of Jesus, death won’t get the final say. Because of Jesus, this isn’t the actual end. Because of Jesus, victory has already been granted to those who put their trust in Him.

Some people in Corinth were preaching that there was no life after death. Paul refuted that lie.

In the same chapter, Paul points out that everything about the Christian faith hinges on Jesus’ resurrection.

If Christ had not been raised, faith is useless and there is no hope.

But because Jesus had been raised from the dead, and hundreds of people witnessed Him after His resurrection, everything was now different.

Jesus has already conquered death, and, at the appointed time, death will die forever, and every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

For those of us who believe in Him, there is so much more to come.

Today, all who believe in Jesus can live from a place of victory.

~ Contributed by Bruce Driver from the Uniting Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.