For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5 NIV)
The hope of victory over the curse of sin began centuries before King David sat on the throne. God had made a promise to Adam and Eve that a son would be born who would take away that curse, which sentenced them and everyone after them to hard labor. Decades later, Lamech, at the age of 182, prove his faith in the promise when he named his son Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed” (Genesis 5:28-29 NIV). This took place generations before God called out a nation unto Himself from Abraham’s seed.
Through the ages, the Hebrews failed, were enslaved, and freed many times; but they held onto the hope of Israel—a messiah would come to save them and to rule the nations.
Jesus was that Man. However, God’s plan of victory differed from that of the Jews.
- They thought He came to overthrow Caesar, but He came to defeat the prince of the air.
- They thought He’d ride a white warhorse, instead He rode a donkey of peace.
- They thought He’d organize a mighty army, but He surrendered without a fight.
- They thought He’d reign on earth, but His kingdom is in heaven.
- They thought He died for a lost cause, instead He died for lost sinners.
- They thought death won, but Jesus conquered death and lives today.
We are now on the other side of the cross looking back in awe with gratitude and looking forward to His second coming. Then He will return on that white warhorse as the conquering King the Jews anticipated. His army of saints will follow Him to war and celebrate the victory over the fall of the enemy—Satan.
How about you? Are you enjoying the victory that overcomes the world through faith in Jesus Christ?
Next time, we’ll review The Gift via another time-lapse art video that brings the whole subject together. Prepare by studying Romans 6:19-23.
See you in a twinkling,
Brenda K. Hendricks
Filed under: Advent 2014, Art Video, Christian, Christmas, Differences, Encouragment, Evil, Fight, gifts, Glimpse of Jesus, hope, human condition, Quotes of Encouragement Tagged: Christian Encouragement, Christmas, encouragement, Faith, God Seeker, God's Gift, God's promise, hope, human condition, Jesus Christ, King of the Jews, quotes of encouragement, Son of God, trust, Victory
