Elimination of Enmity
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
July 12
Battles over the strategically important Hudson River known as the Saratoga Campaign was considered one of the most decisive and important victories of the Revolutionary war for the Americans. A British led invasion force of 8,000 men attacked from the North through Canada but were defeated and captured by the American Patriots. It was this victory that convinced France to join the Americans by supplying them assistance for the rest of the war. Christ has secured for us an astounding victory over our insidious enemy and has secured for us a powerful ally in His indwelling Holy Spirit. Christ eliminated the power of sin to separate us from God having nailed the list of our transgressions to the cross and blotting out the list of our sins in His own blood. (Colossians 2:14) Enmity that remains in our relationship with God is result of our conscience’s incomplete appreciation of Christ’s victory over our sin. Our Savior is the lover of sinners, the merciful Redeemer who has come to reconcile our separation and bring us into fellowship with God. God’s love for you is not so fickle and weak as you may have perceived it, your sinful failings have no power to remove His Covenant of grace from you, but they may obscure your ability to perceive it. The Spirit of God has revealed in us a keen awareness of the weight of the millstone of our sin that once hung around our neck. Instead of paralyzing us with shame, He conveys to us the knowledge of Christ’s atoning blood that secured for us peace and friendship with God. We have been perfected in His love when our fear of death and judgment is replaced with a hopeful anticipation of union with Christ in glory. Christ admonished His fearful disciples grieving by Lazarus’ tomb, “whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26) Lazarus rose to confirm to their hearts that Christ has power over death and grants eternal life to all those who hear His voice and follow Him. Beloved be assured your union with Christ is not received as a half-hearted embrace, for with a radiating countenance of joy He will celebrate your arrival in glory. His eyes will meet yours with the same adoration of a bridegroom beholding His beloved bride’s entrance at the aisle of procession to matrimony. Sins power over our conscience, which was the sting of death, has been removed from us. We can now be assured that our God is with us, and He will secure our eternal victory.
Daily Prayer
Conveyer of the Covenant of grace,
appreciation of your victory has been often
obscured by my stubborn and prideful unbelief.
Victories in my life are attained by trusting in your
already won battles fought on my behalf.
I receive the everlasting pledge of your alliance and
place my full confidence in your promised fealty
offered to me by your own Son’s precious blood.