- 1 Peter 1:25 the word of the Lord endures forever.”
- Romans 5:17 …how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ
- 2 Cor. 2:14. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
Every epic movie seems to end with an epic battle scene. Whether you enjoy Marvel’s super hero’s, with characters like Iron Man and Thor, or you are a fantasy fan of the likes of Lord of the Rings, the story’s trials and conflict must climax in a victorious battle to be satisfying to the reader. Once the battle has been won, all the hardship and difficulties that have been endured during the journey are put into perspective and are deemed worthy of the struggle. The trials and conflict that are endured along the way have their reward in the final victory that is won.
The same can be said for Christians. The Apostle Paul uses some of this epic battle analogy when he talks about sin and salvation that is won through Christ Jesus. The first century citizens of Rome were accustomed to the triumphal processions by victorious generals. They would enter the city with their armies and parade through the streets ending in the Circus Maximus.
Paul uses this language when he says: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” The first century believers understood this language. Paul then contrasts the devastation wrought by sin with the grace and righteousness received in Christ, enabling us to reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Reigning in life, both now and in eternity is what Paul holds up as the victory that has been won at the cross of Christ. Yet if I am going to be honest, during my everyday gray rainy winter days here in the Northwest, rarely do I contextualize life as a “triumphal procession” or seeing myself as “reigning in life.” The gray of my everyday struggles can very easily dull my spiritual senses and if I am not careful, I miss the victorious life that was purchased for me through the cross.
In Christ, we have a glorious victory that has overcome sin. We have received grace for our gray days. We have been bestowed a gift of righteousness, not of works nor strife, but through our adoption into the family of God. Life has been won in Christ, therefore we should not just endure it. Grace and righteousness has been given to us so that we might reign in life, now and forever with our Savior. Reigning in life is for our every gray day. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
May the joy of the triumphal procession and the victory that has been won permeate your gray day! May the vivid and brilliant victory of God’s grace shine in our hearts.
David
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