New Life in Christ — Living in His Victory
When Jesus arose from the grave, He had led captivity captive. All of the spiritual forces of Satan’s host of darkness had been defeated at the cross. When the triumphant Messiah arose from the grave and ascended far above all the heavens, He made it possible for you to walk and live in His victory. Now, through Christ’s victory, you have been given a new life of victory in Jesus. Whatever you may come up against can be overcome through the blood of Christ and the word of your testimony.
1 John 5:4 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What Jesus Christ accomplished has made it possible for you to have overcoming life-changing present victory.
This overcoming victory in Christ Jesus makes us “more than conquerors.” This new life of victory in Christ Jesus is much more than “come to the altar and get saved” victory. This new life of victory in Christ Jesus is not just winning against worldly influences and Satan’s strongest powers. This overcoming victorious life bings us into the richness of Christ’s victory. What is it that hinders you? There is victory in Christ for that. What is it that attacks you? Jesus victory addresses every attack that comes in your life. What is it that causes you concern or brings anxiety? In Christ Jesus, there is victory, peace, and joy.
In Christ Jesus, we have been given victory over whatever is hindering, attacking, or attempting to bring us down.
Jesus Christ the Son of God has become your Savior, Healer, Protector and Strong Defense. He is a Hedge and a Wall about you.
Ephesians 4:7-8 NKJV But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
Colossians 2:14-15 tells us, ‘Jesus nailed to His cross everything that was opposed to us and He disarmed principalities and powers triumphing over them by the cross.
Ephesians 4:9-10 NKJV Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.
In Ephesians 4:9, we are told Jesus “descended.”
The Greek word is very significant. Jesus was not “cast down”: καταβάλλω, kataballō, “to overthrow, cast down.” In Isaiah 14:14-15 Satan tried to ascend to God’s throne, but God’s word says he will be cast down to the lowest depth of the pit. In Revelation 12:10-11, we are told salvation, strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser has been cast down. Then we are told they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
In Ephesians 4:9 Jesus “descended”: καταβαίνω, katabainō, “came down, descended.”
Jesus descended and came down into the lowest parts of the earth. He descended into the places where we have our greatest troubles. He came down to address things that have caused us grief, sorrow and distress. He came down to disarm powers and authorities. He came down to triumph over everything that was against us.
The language here is clear and conclusive.
If Jesus had been cast down, He would have been a subject of the powers of sin, Satan, and death. Jesus descended or came down with authority and power to change circumstances and situations.
Jesus came down into your valley so you could live in His victory.
The Bible refers to several valley experiences.
In Numbers 32:9, Israel became discouraged of heart in the Valley of Eshcol, when they saw the Promised Land.
God had provided a land that flowed with milk and honey, but the people became discouraged when they saw that the land was filled with giants and walled cities. They became so discouraged that they did not go into the land the LORD gave them.
In Isaiah 22:1, the burden of the valley of vision revealed troubles that were coming on Jerusalem.
Jerusalem was designed to be the city of God. It was the habitation of the Temple of the Most High God. Jerusalem had been brought down, overwhelmed and defeated.
Joel 3:12-14 shows multitudes of people from the nations of the world in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
Joel was being shown the great judgment that is to come. He prophesied that “Multitudes are in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
Ezekiel saw God’s people in deplorable condition in a valley.
Ezekiel 37:1-2 NKJV The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
When Ezekiel saw God’s people, all he could see was evidence of death all around.
David spoke about God’s care in the valley of the shadow of death.
Psalm 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
All kinds of battles are fought in the valley.
Each of us have gone through many valleys and faced great battles. In his valley, Jeremiah was so reduced that he asked: “Is there nothing to hope in?” When the Psalmist was down, he said, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
We are too familiar with going down into deep valley experiences.
- There is a valley of remorse or failure.
- There is a valley of despair where hope is gone.
- There is the valley of depression, despondency and sadness.
- There is the valley of heartbreak.
- There are valleys of sickness and iniquities.
Psalms 147:3 NKJV He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Have you been sick in your body or spirit? It is easy to lose your joy, hope and purpose when your body or spirit are cast down in the valley of sickness and iniquity.
Psalms 103:2-3 NKJV Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases..
- There is the valley of decision.
Joel 3:14 NKJV Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The valley of decision seems to be the last opportunity for grace and mercy before certain judgment.
- Ezekiel was shown a valley of dry bones.
There was no life down there. It appears that all hope was gone in the valley of dry bones.
- David spoke of a valley of the shadow of death.
Most valleys are so deep they are almost impossible to escape.
If you are in a valley experience and you do not know how to get out, there is help in the Lord your God.
Ephesians 4:9-10 NKJV Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
When we looked at Christ’s Triumphal Entry, we saw Jesus coming down, descending, into our valley.
- He came down to take and bear your sin.
- He came down to conquer your greatest fear.
- He came down to your lowest level.
- He came to save, heal, and deliver.
- He came into your deepest valley.
- He was not cast down or defeated.
- He was not overcome with death or the grave.
Jesus entered into the lowest part of the earth to bring triumph and victory.
When Zechariah caught a vision of Jesus entering into Jerusalem, he told Zion to rejoice greatly for your King comes to you. (Zechariah 9:9)
Your Redeeming King has come for you. He has come to bring you out of your despair. He has come to heal your spirit, soul, and body. He has come to give peace to your broken heart. He has come to give you life more abundantly. Are you facing a deep valley?
King Jesus has come down to give you His aid.
