A problem with no human solution
Throughout history, humans in their self-sufficiency, have sought to triumph over sin and death through various paths and methods. Religious practices of almsgiving and rituals that claim to rid one of sins are present in many religions. The ancient philosophers proposed that ethical and virtuous living could lead to inner peace and immortality. Even the alchemists of the Middle Ages sought the Philosopher’s Stone – a legendary substance that turned base metals into precious gold and silver. It is also thought to be able to create the Elixir of Life, which grants a cure to all illnesses and immortality. With the advances in scientific and medical research, life expectancy has greatly improved in the last century. In the modern era, people look to technology for solutions to overcome death. Cryonics and genetic engineering are two approaches some scientists have been working on. However, there are no signs of perfect solutions to conquering sin and death. They have been looking at all the wrong places. The solution came when Christ died and rose again. Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection dealt with both sin and the power of death, offering us reconciliation and eternal life.
Christ’s death is the only spiritual solution
Victory is defeating an enemy or opponent in a battle, game or other competition. This was exactly what the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote to the believers in Colossae: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15 NIV). He was using an analogy that the recipients of his letter would have understood: the victorious processional entry of a triumphant Roman general into Rome after a successful conquest over some faraway country. He would lead the victorious legion with pomp and the defeated and disarmed rulers and generals would be in tow. The chained enemies would be openly shamed and humiliated, while the glory of Rome and the victorious general would be magnified and celebrated.
What were these “powers and authorities”? To Paul, they were the spiritual enemies of God: Satan and his lieutenants. They had been defeated “by the cross”- Jesus’ death and resurrection. Satan had been stripped of his most potent armament. He has been disarmed of his lethal weapons. The kilotons of power (sin and death) that Satan had over human beings have been nullified by the megatons power of the cross. Now all he can do is to deceive and influence people (including Christians) to believe his lies instead of being freed by God’s truth. In the end, Christ’s victory will be manifested for all to see, and every knee that has not yet bowed shall bow before Christ.
Victory over sin
As followers of Christ, we can share and participate in this victory over the enemy. We no longer need to fear the two weapons of the spiritual forces of darkness. We declare by faith that sin’s power has been nullified. “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:18 NIV). The devil tempts us into sin like he did with Adam and Eve, but Jesus has disarmed him of this weapon through the forgiveness of sins, and through setting us free from the power of sin in our life. This is a significant and far-reaching victory.
Victory over Death
The devil’s other weapon is death, and Jesus broke this power and freed all believers from the fear of death. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death- that is the devil” (Hebrews 2:14 NIV). The resurrection of Christ is proof that God will also raise all followers of Christ to a resurrection of life when Jesus returns. This victory is beautifully poetic, powerfully effective, and perfectly complete. All because of the finished work of Christ!
This is part of a planned series of writings on the topic, “The A to Z of Christ’s Finished Work”. I am writing it in alphabetic order. Thus far the others that I have written can be found HERE.
