But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
It is no secret that Taylor football likes to come away with victories. It is no secret that you, personally want victory. Everyone likes to win. Nobody likes to lose.
Here is a trustworthy statement: God always wins! This is most clearly evidenced in a phrase that Paul imparted to the believers in Corinth earlier in the letter we now consider: “None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8) The demons behind the plot to kill Jesus didn’t consider that God’s wisdom isn’t like their own. Their wisdom: Get rid of Jesus, get rid of the problem. God’s wisdom: Let them get “rid” of Jesus and give Him the opportunity to overcome what only He can overcome. God always wins!
Paul starts his letter to the Corinthians reminding them - Jesus overcame death, the ultimate enemy. In chapter 15 he concludes with the reminder - Jesus overcomes death...in each of us. And if Jesus can overcome our ultimate enemy, He can overcome anything that any enemy hurls at us! We belong to the One who wins it all, so we can live with confidence! We become conquerors because Jesus has already conquered!!! We can be assured of productivity and success in our day to day routines when we’re relying on Jesus because He wins it all!
True confidence can exist only when the object of our confidence is utterly trustworthy. And Jesus is utterly trustworthy! Paul reminds us “So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence.” Paul can give such an audacious mandate because he knows Who wins. He knows that Christ in us is the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) Jesus wins. We win.
Where do you find your confidence? Remember that even though sometimes it may look like a defeat, it never results in ultimate defeat. Jesus wins. You win.