I’ve been in education for over 35 years. As a result, I’ve been exposed to my fair share of competition. I’m always amazed at how you don’t have to teach children to be competitive. It seems we are wired to want to win. All you have to do is watch a group of five-year-olds play soccer and you will inevitably see a temper tantrum or two when the opposing team makes a goal. Victory is always much sweeter than defeat!
As believers, we are in an ongoing competition—a competition for our attention, our obedience, and our discernment of God’s truth. This is not a physical competition but a spiritual one. The enemy of our souls is on the opposing team, and he does not play by the rules! Paul reminds us that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). This competition is really a battle, one in which we can have victory…if we embrace the true meaning of Easter.
Easter is the perfect time to talk about victory. I know anything I write will never adequately convey the powerful message of Easter. My limited brain simply cannot grasp how a holy God could love us so much that He was willing so send His Son from Heaven to live a humble life and die a humiliating and excruciating death. Why? The answer is so we could have victory. This includes victory not only over death (John 17:1-5) but also every day of our lives (John 10:10).
There is only one way for us to win, and His name is Jesus. Because of Easter—because of the resurrection—we are part of the winning team. I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like it. Life often feels like we are in a losing battle. There is so much competition for our time, our attention, our money, and our beliefs. If we aren’t careful, these distractions can pull us out of the game and leave us watching from the sidelines.
Winning a competition (or a battle) takes full on engagement. As believers, we are told that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).
· We are to tear down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).
· We are to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7).
· We are to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6).
Our efforts are critical BUT because of Easter, we aren’t alone! When Jesus is our one and only Savior, the power of the resurrection is ours (Acts 1:8)!
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Are you claiming victory in your life today, or are you living in defeat? I’m not saying every day is perfect. Far from it, but we can’t let our down days or setbacks give us amnesia. We can’t forget the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross so we can have victory. Let’s remind ourselves…
We are not defeated!
God is fighting for us!
The Victory is ours!
All because of Easter.