Victory

By: Kevin Rutherford

            The winter and summer Olympic Games showcase athletes from around the world representing their nations as the best from their countries. These athletes devote themselves entirely to training and preparation for the games. Some will achieve victory at the games, but most will not. What will the winners receive? They receive the gold medal, the respect of their fellow countrymen, advertising endorsements, speaking opportunities, and general fame.  But when they die, what will it all mean? When enough time passes no one on this earth will remember them. When the Lord returns to destroy the earth and judge the world what will the gold medal mean? 

            The same could be said concerning those that would compete against other nations in international sports such as Cricket, Soccer, and Rugby. What does a world championship really mean? It means a lot for a little while. But in the end, that victory will mean nothing. How important is it to win the World Series, the Super Bowl, or the NBA Championship? What does it mean to come out the victor at the end of NCAA March Madness Tournament? It means some people have worked hard to achieve something.  There is some value in that. But when a person is standing before the Lord on the Day of Judgment will he be saying, “Way back in 2010 I was the starting point guard for the team that won NCAA Tournament.” What will that victory mean then?                                                                   

            There are victories that have more significance than athletic victories. Victory in war is often of great significance. It can mean the difference between life and death. It can mean the difference between slavery and freedom.  But still, even when thinking in terms of such victories, they pale in comparison to the significance of a victory to come. To lose in war is to die. But everyone will die anyway. To win in war is to live, but ultimately the winners die too. 

            What struggle is more important? The struggle for the soul is most important. What adversary is most dangerous? Satan is most dangerous. What victory is of the greatest significance of all? The victory over sin made possible by the sacrifice of Christ, the victory over death that comes when our souls are prepared to die, the victory over all evil that will come when the Lord returns, the victory over death once and for all that will occur when all men are raised from the dead. The glory that shall fill the soul with joy beyond measure in the eternal heaven is the ultimate victory. This is the victory for which we strive. This is the victory that will count forever. The battle for this victory is the one must take primary priority in our lives. 

            After his discussion of the glorious resurrection day, Paul said, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, 58). The apostle John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:3-5).

            Run to the reward (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)! Fight to the finish (2 Timothy 4:6-8)!  Press toward the prize (Philippians 3:12-14)! Stand in strength (Ephesians 6:10-20)! Be vigilant for victory (1 Peter 5:8)!  This, in the end, is the only victory that counts.

Justification by Faith

By: Kevin Rutherford

             Just as Naaman foolishly balked at the command to dip seven times in the river Jordan so to do many people balk at the command to be immersed in water for the remission of their sins (2 Kings 5; Acts 2:38). Some seek to excuse their failure to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins by telling us that we are saved by faith and therefore baptism has nothing to do with our salvation.

            The case of Abraham as discussed in Romans and Galatians is often brought up. It is argued that because Abraham was justified by faith apart from works then we can be too. However, this conflicts with the context. Abraham was saved by faith apart from the works of the Law of Moses just as we are saved by faith apart from the Law of Moses.

            Galatians 3:1-9 is one such passage which teaches this. Notice that the chapter begins with a rebuke for not obeying the truth. How can one discount the importance of obedience? We are saved by an obedient faith. We are not saved by faith only (James 2:24).

            The fact remains, that we must be baptized to be saved, and a faith that will not cause us to be baptized is a faith that will not please God (Mark 16:16). No one is saved by faith apart from obedience to God. No one is saved by faith apart from being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16).