A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE "Triumph" is an ultimate word. It does not mean those in Christ are never "troubled," "perplexed," "persecuted," or "cast down." It does mean they are NOT "distressed," "in despair," "forsaken," or "destroyed" (2 Cor 4:7-9). Moses may spend forty years in the back side of the desert, but he will lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage! Joshua and Caleb may spend forty years in the wilderness, but they will come into Canaan! James may be killed by Herod, but not until he has finished his work! Paul may be shipwrecked, but he will land safely on a shore, and be treated hospitably. -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 18 of 24
AN ULTIMATE WORD
God's people must know that if the present circumstances are difficult, even appearing to be hopeless, the end is not yet. In the way best suited for the glory of God, He will, through their faith, "cause" them to triumph in Christ Jesus.
"IN CHRIST"
There is an exclusive domain in which triumph occurs – a solitary environ in which God causes triumph. No person is superior to his circumstances outside of this surrounding. It is "Christ" – the "Lord's Christ" (Lk 2:26). In the sense of our text, there is no triumph outside of Christ Jesus the Lord.
While there are things that we do related to getting into Christ, in the last analysis, we are put there by God Himself. As it is written, " . . . and the base things of the world and the despised, GOD has chosen, the things that are not, that HE might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before GOD. But BY HIS DOING you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom FROM GOD, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD'" (1 Cor 1:28-31, NASB). This is involved in being "born of God" (1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18). It is also the means by which we are "sanctified by God the Father" (Jude 1:1).
From the standpoint of obedience, we are "baptized into Christ" (Gal 2:27) – baptism being the "form of the doctrine" to which we submitted. That involves being baptized "into His death" (Rom 6:3), from which we were raised "by the glory of the Father" (Rom 6:4). In so doing, God put us into Christ – into the environment in which He causes us to triumph over all opposing powers and influences. These range from our own "flesh" (Rom 7:18) to principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12). The wide range of experiences over which God causes us to triumph include death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height, depth, or any other creature (Rom 8:38-39). None of these are capable of removing us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, dislodging us from the heavenly places into which we have been raised (Eph 2:6), or plucking us out of the hand of Christ or of God (John 10:28-29).
To be caused to "triumph" means that the objective of Satan and his hosts cannot be realized in the person who abides in the Son. It means that God, throughout all of our experiences, works all things together for our ultimate good (Rom 8:28). It means that in all of the circumstances of life those who abide "in Christ" are being "conformed" to the image of God's Son (Rom 8:29). God is continuing to work in such people "to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). He is working in them "that which is well pleasing in His sight" (Heb 13:21). That is involved in being caused to "triumph in Christ in Christ."
At any given time, it may appear as though the saints are being defeated – as when Abel was killed by Cain, Stephen was stoned by the Jewish council (Acts 7:58-60, or Paul and Silas were imprisoned with their feet "in the stocks" (Acts 16:23-24). It may seem that the enemy has the upper hand – as when Paul is lowered over the wall in a basket in order escape from Aretas (2 Cor 11:32-33), or John is exiled on the Isle of Patmos (Rev 1:9). But when all of the facts are in, we will find that God "always" caused His people to triumph in Christ – that His purposes for them were fulfilled, and that the devil and his wicked hosts could not stop that from happening.
As with Paul, every person who abides in Christ will at last be able to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim 4:8). They will also acknowledge that God is the One who "caused" this to happen – who delivered, sealed, anointed, and caused to them to triumph! Salvation is ascribed to God (Rev 7:10; 19:1). We do not have to wait until the end to recognize this truth.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the triumphant nature of the faith we have obtained through Your grace.