It's All About Victory! Alive series, 25

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1John 5:4b-5, NIV2)

Napoleon was quite a strategist. He had already conquered most of Europe when the Allies invaded France and captured Paris. Napoleon was forced to abdicate in April, 1814, and he was exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean.

Although it seemed the war was over, it truly wasn't. In February, 1815, Napoleon escaped from the island of Elba and took back his emperorship. A coalition then formed, with the purpose of beating Napoleon in Waterloo. Napoleon lost, and he spent his last six years of life incarceration on a remote island called Saint Helena. His kingdom had crumbled to pieces.

There were those, however, who still didn't believe the war was over. Some lived in fear of Napoleon's return. Though he was completely defeated and imprisoned on a lonely island, they figured that if he had escaped once, he could do it again. They couldn't enjoy victory, for they were still living under fear.

Between the years of 1824 and 1826, a monument was erected in Waterloo, dedicated to the soldiers who had died in the battle. A mountain of dirt was constructed over the exact spot where Prince Guillaume of Orange was injured, and a massive cast-iron lion was mounted at the top, depicted to be protecting the globe. The lion, weighing 28 metric tons, symbolizes the return of peace to Europe. 226 steps lead to the top of the monument, and from the top, the view of the battlefields where the French were defeated is quite impressive. In all, this monument proclaims the triumph of victory over evil. The fight was over, peace had returned.

In most battlefields, monuments are raised to proclaim victory over our foes. The same is true with the triumph of Jesus on the cross. What seemed to be His own defeat was actually victory over the evil one: "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Col 2:15, NIV2)

The devil was defeated 2000 years ago. As long as we put our faith in the Risen One, the devil can no longer hurt us. His "bite" is gone. Victory was obtained, and we have nothing more to fear.

Still many live in defeat as the reality of Jesus' victory escapes them.

His biggest victory was that humankind was reconciled with His Father in heaven, but only to those who believe in that victory: "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Eph 3:12, NIV2)

Unfortunately, many churches teach doctrines that doesn't include victory. Healing is a notion from the past. Victory over sin is a tedious job that seems endless. Reconciliation cannot happen, for we live in a world of hostility, after all. I have to wonder why we don't take to heart these Bible texts:

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14, NIV2)

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Heb 2:18, NIV2)

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:19-20, NIV2)

We either believe in the victory or we don't, but this doesn't change the reality that we are victorious, thanks to Jesus' willingness to die on our behalf. We may choose a life of defeat and live miserably, believing we are the most miserable person on Planet Earth, or we can reach out and claim our victory, for it has already been obtained. The lion of Judah has come through for us, and we no longer have anything to fear.

You can be healed my friend. You can be victorious over sin. You can be reconciled. It all depends on who you trust.

Rob Chaffart

It's All About Victory! Alive series, 25

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