Through the gospel we discover God and His gracious intervention in our lives. It opens our eyes to see the rewriting of our identity and how it gives new purpose.
Though we’re renewed in Spirit and truth, by faith, we continue to live in a fallen world of trials and constant revelations of it’s great need for justice and redemption. This reality should push believers to cling to the hope we have in Christ, but it can also leave our heart longing for His righteousness or even feeling defeated. BUT God’s love encompasses many beautiful and empowering promises which can satisfy our needs. And they explain His victory in all these areas.
God promises victory to all in Christ, and that’s wonderfully, vital to know!
Promised Trials
John 16:33 “… In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I [Jesus] have overcome the world.”
It’s unfortunate, but God has assured us there will be trials in this world. But Jesus reminds us in the above verse that He has overcome all things, to say that we, who are in Him, will as well.
Trials can be physical or spiritual. Meaning they can be everyday ills, challenges or adversities to triumph, or direct attacks to our faith. Know that scripture teaches there will be false gospels and teachers, unbelievers, mockers and hard hearts in this life. Yet there’s hope, as God also tells us that there is no battle we cannot win, and that the more we abide in Him and His word, the more equipped we are to conquer and grow in love and joy throughout it all.
This is apart of the promise of redemption. There is victory in Christ! He said “it is finished” as He fulfilled His sacrifice on our behalf before God. Our salvation and all it’s justification and sanctification is ignited and completed through Jesus Christ. We are redeemed and adopted children of grace who partake in a winning battle.
Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
James 1:2-5
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Promised Redemption
1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”
Redemption is promised. Sanctification is promised, as it is the will of God and God always leads His repentant, faithful, redeemed children of grace out of darkness into light. If we have salvation we are born-again, out of sin and death and are alive in Christ! We have put on Christ, His Spirit and truth. His mind. We are renewed, in thought and being. We act in regard of the new kingdom.
Born-again believers do stumble into sin, but we have remorseful hearts and receive discipline from God which turns us from our corruption. We grow into the likeness of Christ. But no longer does He condemn us. We are held tightly in His hand. He cleanses us with His faithful love and guidance instead. And we listen to Him, as the sheep of His pasture. We follow Him.
1 John 3:20
“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
Romans 8: 28-35
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
Romans 6:13
“Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
Promised Justice
Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Finally, always remember that we serve a holy God who will bring justice, peace and restoration. We cannot enjoy sin and worship God, for sin is of the fallen world and friendship with the world is enmity with God.
Revelation 21:6-8
“And He [Christ] said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:1-5
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””