Salvation, Sanctification, and Struggle

10/26/22 – 11/03/22

Christ Arose and We Win

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/30/22

Read Romans 5:15-21.

When Adam stretched out his hands and took the forbidden fruit, he brought death to all mankind. But when the perfect, sinless Jesus stretched out His hands on the cross, He made it possible for everyone who believes in Him to live. For, when Jesus died on the cross in obedience to His Father, He defeated sin, Satan, hell, and the grave and made it possible for us to inherit eternal life.

In this passage Paul is contrasting these two acts—one destructive and the other restorative. Adam’s failure brought us condemnation, but Christ’s victory brought us salvation. Adam fell, Christ arose, and now in Christ the believer wins.

We win because the gift of grace did not merely restore us to Adam’s state before the fall. Instead, through God’s grace, we receive His abiding Spirit and the sure promise of glory. Adam’s one selfish act has been overwhelmed by God’s gracious gift.

If you are tempted today to think that your sins are too great, remember that the grace of God is infinitely greater. If you are tempted to think that Satan is too powerful to resist, remember that the power that raised Christ from the grave lives in you. And if you are tempted to doubt your salvation, remember that it is well with your soul because Jesus has perfectly paid your ransom.

Is there an area of your life where it seems that evil is winning? Remember: Satan is defeated. Christ arose, and you win.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for Your power! You are the matchless God. Your perfections are infinite. Who can stand before You? I rest in Christ, my Champion, my Savior. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).