There is no shortage of information on the internet to help you “claim your victory in Christ.” Often the victory that is promoted fits more within a prosperity gospel theology. But, victory in Christ is not unique to the health and wealth movement. Christus Victor is a theological concept that is found at least as far back as the third century. Gustav Aulen even argues that this concept of Christ as victor over the powers of sin and evil was the prevailing view of the atonement during the first millennium of Christianity.
In The Cross of Christ, John Stott outlines the six stages of Christ’s conquest over death. In the first stage, the conquest is predicted. The first prediction came in the Garden of Eden when God pronounced to the serpent, “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” The second stage was the conquest begun in the ministry of Jesus. Satan made attempts to get rid of Jesus multiple times, but Jesus was determined to fulfill his mission.
The third stage, the conquest achieved, happened on the cross where Jesus overpowered and bound the powers of darkness and death. He tied up the strong man and took over his house just as he had predicted through his parables (Luke 10:18). It is important to note that it was the death of Jesus on the cross, not his resurrection that overpowered Satan. Jesus resurrection is the result of his conquest on the cross. We are saved through the blood of Jesus. The resurrection is the fourth stage, the conquest confirmed and announced.
The book of Acts represents the beginning of the fifth stage, the conquest extended “as the church goes out on its mission, in the power of the Spirit, to preach Christ crucified as Lord and to summon people to repent and believe in him.” The church today is still living as a part of this fifth stage of Jesus’ conquest over sin, evil, and death. Finally, we look forward to the sixth stage, the conquest consummated at the return of Christ. The day is coming when Christ’s conquest will be completed and celebrated.
This is the objective aspect of Christ’s victory that was pronounced in Genesis, realized in the gospels, and will one day be celebrated as we read about in Revelation. However, the objective nature of Christ’s work is also realized through its subjective application in the lives of believers. In other words, the victory of Christ is not only an event in history, it is an experience that you can enter into. In the time between stage five and stage six, it is possible for Christians to “enter into Christ’s victory.”
How can you experience the victory of Christ daily? First, remember that in Christ we are no longer under the the tyranny of the law. Galatians 3:23 says, “now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.” The law set a standard we could not achieve, Christ came to fulfill the requirements of the law on our behalf. In Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Second, In Christ we no longer under the tyranny of the flesh. Outside of Christ you were enslaved to all kinds of evil passions and pleasures, but in Christ, you have been set free from this tyranny, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6).
Next, in Christ we are no longer under the the tyranny of the world. John’s words are especially beneficial here, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that jesus is the Son of God.” The godless society that is ruled by the Prince of the Air is no taskmaster over the Christian. In Christ, we have been set free from this world.
Finally, we are no longer under the tyranny of death. Part of the reason tyrannical governments fear Christianity is that Christians do not fear death. Martyrs through the centuries have faced death with certainty that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Persecutors can kill the body, but the believer knows full well that his eternal life is secured in Christ. Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers with these words, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting” (1 Cor. 15:54-55).
Christian, you can have victory. You can have victory because Jesus has engaged in battle with death and darkness and he has emerged victorious. You can have victory because you know that the day is coming when Jesus will claim all that is his. You can have victory because the conquest of Jesus has set you free from the taskmasters of law, flesh, world, and death.
Claim the victory today. Live into Christ and experience the fullness that is found through faith in Jesus Christ.
