"...victory through our Lord Jesus Christ..."

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

(I Corinthians 15:58)

The word “therefore” is in reference to the statement Paul made in the preceding verse: “But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. The victory Paul speaks of is not defined by success in the stock market, a flourishing business, social prominence or having a mega-ministry. The victory is a spiritual victory provided by Jesus’ atoning death on the cross and His resurrection. Hell has no hold on the Christian! Sin’s shackles are broken when the sinner places his/her faith in Jesus and His shed blood as the payment for sin. That one decision becomes a miraculous “turning point” and life after that is never the same. Every person, regardless of past or present failures can have a turning point in their life. We are not trying to gain victory, attain victory, find victory or earn victory—it is ours through faith in Christ! “That” victory will sustain us in sickness, carry us through a crisis, give us peace in our problems, give us grace when we grieve, power under pressure and authority over devils and demons. Irrespective of circumstance or situation, regardless of diagnosis or prognosis, no matter what demeaning and damaging words have been spoken against you…. “thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Notice with me how Paul addresses those to whom he is writing: “my beloved brethren”. The church of Corinth that Paul wrote to, had issues. It was a Spirit-filled church in which the gifts of the Spirit were active. The Presence of the Holy Spirit in a church doesn’t eliminate problems or mean that everything and everyone is just wonderful. Paul didn’t ignore the problems but addressed them with Godly counsel. Some of the issues in the Corinthian church were division, immorality, questionable practices and abuses of the Lord’s Supper. In spite of the many problems in the church, Paul expressed his love for them. God’s love for us is not contingent upon our conduct… He loves us unconditionally. He loves us when we are right, and He loves us when we are wrong. He loves us when we make it, and He loves us when we miss it.

In this verse. Paul urges the Corinthian Christians to be steadfast. Perhaps your world has been shaken by things you never thought you would go through. Be steadfast. May the strengthening comfort of the Comforter be yours today. Don’t allow your feelings and circumstances push you in directions that take you away from the One that is your anchor and refuge in times of trouble.