THE RISEN ONE HAS OVERCOME
Terry R. Baughman
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
“It is finished,” were the final words of Jesus on the cross, and there was tremendous implication in their declaration. The purpose of Jesus had been fulfilled. His life’s mission was accomplished.
Jesus lived on earth as the son of man, yet He was the Son of God. He ate and drank because He lived and breathed a mortal life, yet He multiplied the fish and bread and turned water into wine because He was the Creator of all things. He grew tired, slept when it was required, and cried when He suffered grief. Jesus also gave strength to the weary, encouraged the bereaved, and raised the dead, because He was the life and all power was given to Him. His sinless, purpose-filled life, and His ultimate sacrificial death on the cross became the substitution for us all. Because He lives we can live also.
It is finished! The power of sin was broken; the penalty of sin was satisfied. The atonement of His blood has redeemed us from the curse of sin and delivered us from death. Paul proclaimed the power of the resurrection, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57 NIV).
Jesus responded to Pilate’s question as to whether He was a king with these words, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). His royalty was revealed in His authority; His salvation was revealed in His submission to suffering death on the cross; and His deity was revealed in His resurrection. He is the way, the truth, and the life! Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords!
Jesus is magnified in the lyrics of Overcome, by Elevation Worship, “He shall reign forever, Strongholds now surrender, For the Lord our God has overcome. Who can be against us? Jesus our Defender, He is Lord and He has overcome.”
Strongholds are secure places of opposition, an entrenched enemy resisting progress and stalling the warriors’ march to victory, but when strongholds are surrendered the opposition is removed and there is nothing to stop the victorious onward procession of the victors. Ours is a spiritual battle and an unseen confrontation. We are not doing battle with carnal weapons or natural defenses. Paul said, “The weapons of our warfare are … mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Our victory is only in Christ. The battle is won. He is victorious and we are relying completely in Him.
Strongholds now surrender, for the Lord our God has overcome!
Scripture:
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV).
Terry R. Baughman
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
“It is finished,” were the final words of Jesus on the cross, and there was tremendous implication in their declaration. The purpose of Jesus had been fulfilled. His life’s mission was accomplished.
Jesus lived on earth as the son of man, yet He was the Son of God. He ate and drank because He lived and breathed a mortal life, yet He multiplied the fish and bread and turned water into wine because He was the Creator of all things. He grew tired, slept when it was required, and cried when He suffered grief. Jesus also gave strength to the weary, encouraged the bereaved, and raised the dead, because He was the life and all power was given to Him. His sinless, purpose-filled life, and His ultimate sacrificial death on the cross became the substitution for us all. Because He lives we can live also.
It is finished! The power of sin was broken; the penalty of sin was satisfied. The atonement of His blood has redeemed us from the curse of sin and delivered us from death. Paul proclaimed the power of the resurrection, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57 NIV).
Jesus responded to Pilate’s question as to whether He was a king with these words, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). His royalty was revealed in His authority; His salvation was revealed in His submission to suffering death on the cross; and His deity was revealed in His resurrection. He is the way, the truth, and the life! Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords!
Jesus is magnified in the lyrics of Overcome, by Elevation Worship, “He shall reign forever, Strongholds now surrender, For the Lord our God has overcome. Who can be against us? Jesus our Defender, He is Lord and He has overcome.”
Strongholds are secure places of opposition, an entrenched enemy resisting progress and stalling the warriors’ march to victory, but when strongholds are surrendered the opposition is removed and there is nothing to stop the victorious onward procession of the victors. Ours is a spiritual battle and an unseen confrontation. We are not doing battle with carnal weapons or natural defenses. Paul said, “The weapons of our warfare are … mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Our victory is only in Christ. The battle is won. He is victorious and we are relying completely in Him.
Strongholds now surrender, for the Lord our God has overcome!
Scripture:
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV).
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