Victory In Jesus & The Cross

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY7YTK6SGxc

The first step to getting victory over sin is having faith that God will work within us. Yet even faith is not something we produce ourselves but is a gift from God. I don’t receive more faith through works. I cannot receive more from God by trying to do more! His grace and love and spiritual gifts are free! There is nothing we can do to earn, obtain, deserve, or purchase the grace of God. That’s why it is offered to us freely, because God knows there is nothing we can do to deserve it. This also helps us forgive others because in the same way there is nothing others can do to deserve the love we give through Christ.

Love is not something that is earned. The grace of God is free and an unconditional gift. I don’t receive the grace of God as a result of doing something good; the ability to do good comes as a result of receiving the grace of God.

Within the next passage of scripture are 4 descriptions of humans before they receive the grace of God. See if you can spot them out. Ask yourself if you qualify.

Romans 5:1-10 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Four Descriptions of humans before receiving the grace of God:

1. Without strength, powerless, helpless, slave (verse 6: slave to sin)

2. Ungodly (verse 6)

3. Sinners (verse 8)

4. Enemies (verse 10)

So do you qualify? Do you lack strength to overcome sin? Are you ungodly? Are you a sinner? As sinners our carnal nature is enmity against God, so, are you an enemy of God?

If your can recognize that you are all these things there is good news for you. Jesus. Christ loves you and He has made a way for you to be free. A way for you and God to be in communion and for you to be free from sin.

The Bible illustrates this victory over sin as a death to sin in the person of Jesus christ. We die to sin by coming to the cross, not by struggling ourselves and trying to be more holy. We die to sin by acknowledging that God the Father saw me and all the filth of my sin, hanging upon that cross, and I died to sin in the person of Jesus. And I take hold of that fact by faith.

Romans 6:6, 11 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 11 Likewise reckon (consider) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our death took place in Jesus’ death! MY death took place on the cross! The wrath of God was poured out on Jesus because He had MY sins laid on Him.

“Dead to Sin & Alive Unto Christ

“She will bear a son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21

Salvation has to do with victory over sin. But it isn’t my victory, it is Christ’s victory. And I make His victory my own. Salvation is a here and now experience. Don’t spend your life trying to get to heaven; spend your life being in heaven, in Christ, every single day.

Heaven is an unceasing approach to Christ. Heaven is being in the presence of the person that loves you the most in all the cosmos.

So know, it’s not what you can do for God, it’s what God has done for you, and is doing in you.

It’s 100% Jesus!

You must understand what Jesus gained for you on the cross. The following passages will illustrate.

Benefits of His Atoning Death

1. Justification (declared righteous):

Romans 4:3-8, 23-25 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

2. Reconciliation (to change from enmity to friendship):

Romans 5:10,11 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

3. A demonstration of His love:

Romans 5:8 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, WHILE we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4. Redemption (being purchased back):

Ephesians 1:7 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. {DA 25.3}

5. Sanctification (of being made/becoming Holy):

Hebrews 10:10 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

6. No Condemnation / No Judgement (Greek)(Investigative judgement):

Romans 8:1-3 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

John 3:17-21 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

7. No Guilt:

Romans 3:23-28 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Psalm 32:1-5 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

8. Victory over Satan:

Hebrews 2:14 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

9. Perfection forever:

Hebrews 10:14 14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

10. Dead to sin, Alive unto Christ:

Galatians 2:20 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Romans 6:3-7 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

"Beyond the cross of Calvary, with its agony and shame, Jesus looked forward to the great final day, when the prince of the power of the air will meet his destruction in the earth so long marred by his rebellion. Jesus beheld the work of evil forever ended, and the peace of God filling heaven and earth." {DA 490.3}

"Henceforward Christ’s followers were to look upon Satan as a conquered foe. Upon the cross, Jesus was to gain the victory for them; that victory He desired them to accept as their own. “Behold,” He said, “I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” - Luke 10:19 {DA 490.4}

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper." {DA 490.5}

"Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible. The Lord is rich in resources; He owns the world. Look heavenward in faith. Look to Him who has light and power and efficiency."

"There is in genuine faith a buoyancy, a steadfastness of principle, and a fixedness of purpose that neither time nor toil can weaken. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:30, 31. COL 146.5 - COL 147.1

Christ In You: Eternal Life Made Clear

Romans 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that (in order that) ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

If you are under grace, you are free to repent when you make a mistake; that’s the meaning of grace. Grace exists because you WILL make mistakes along your journey! But Christ has promised forgiveness, sanctification, and complete victory, if you keep moving forward with your eyes fixed on Him, having faith in His goodness, love, and power. If you allow God to take care of the sin problem, by accepting the gift of Jesus on the cross, then God will take care of the sins in your life by indwelling in you by His Spirit and giving you the mind of Christ.

There is a supernatural transformation that takes place when we come to the cross and receive the mind of Christ.

When you are tempted to yield to your own natural inclinations, if you move into FAITH and put on the mind of Jesus (through His word and promises), trust in Him, in His victory, in His love, in His omnipotent power, then all this and His spirit is given unto you. He is your shield. Do this and you will find yourself responding to situations in a totally different manner than you would usually do. Putting on the mind of Christ is done by our receiving the Holy Spirit by coming to the cross DAILY and trusting His word.

"If we consent, He (Jesus) will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses.” - The Desire of Ages p.668

When you receive the mind of Christ, you receive the 1. Thoughts of Jesus 2. Feelings of Jesus 3. Motives of Jesus

I delight to do Your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” - Psalm 40:8

We must believe (have faith) that we receive and have the mind of Christ

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13

"The leaven of truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up,—the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are aroused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. "{RH July 7, 1904, par. 9}

Three Steps to Victory In Jesus

1. Come to the Cross daily. (Read this article daily)

2. Put on the mind of Jesus (Study and memorize the word of God, and the Spirit of Prophecy)

3. Establish habits that will glorify God in your life

Conclusion

Let's now go to the Cross with Jesus:

"Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt. {DA 753.1}

"Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God. {DA 753.2}

Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed.” {DA 25.2}

Understand this….. God would rather die for you, than live eternity without you.

And He asks you now, "Do you accept my sacrifice for you? Will you accept my infinite love? Will you believe in my victory for you?"