280. 2CO 2:14. THE BELIEVER’S TRIUMPH
2Co_2:14. The Believer’s Triumph
"Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ."’972Co_2:14.
However the passage may primarily refer to the apostles, it is language which will suit the experience and may be adopted by all the followers of Christ. Christianity is a warfare, all believers are en gaged in the conflict; and it is the privilege of all to be more than conquerors through Him who hath loved them.
Let us then notice,
I. The Triumph acknowledged.
Now the triumph implies,
1. The existence of enemies.
The saints have their enemies. Satan is their great adversary; and in connection with him, principalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places. The world is their enemy. It hated Christ, and necessarily hates them. World always hostile to the interests of grace and holiness. Then their unsubdued nature is an enemy. An enemy within. An enemy partially subdued. Yet rebelling, &c. See Rom_7:5, to end. Now, these enemies are powerful, combined, malignant, and persevering. This triumph supposes,
2. Actual conflict.
There is a regular system of attack maintained by them against the Christian. The whole life is a warfare. A constant contention for the mastery. A daily fighting and wrestling for the victory.
Then,
3. There is victory obtained.
"Who causeth us to triumph." The believer resists and puts to flight the powers of darkness. He tramples on the world: and successfully overcomes the propensities of his nature, and crucifies the flesh with the affections thereof.
Notice,
II. The Source and Medium of this Victory confessed.
"God who causeth us to triumph in Christ."
1. The source of their triumph is God.
Their skill, weapons, and power to fight, are all derived from God. All their ability is derived from God He causeth them, enables them, &c.
2. The medium of their triumph is Christ.
"They triumph in Christ."
It may signify either that they are in Christ who triumph, or that their success is only by Jesus. Both ideas are true, the latter we conceive to be the sense of the apostle. Their connection with Jesus only enables them to triumph.
(1) They triumph over sin, by faith in his blood.
(2) They triumph over temptation, by the power he imparts.
(3) Over all their wants, in the fulness of his grace.
(4) Over the world, by the love which he imparts.
(5) Over death, by the influence of his cross.
(6) And over the grave, by the virtue of his resurrection from the dead. They triumph over all their enemies, and always, in Christ. He is their all and in all. Without him they can do nothing.
Notice,
III. The grateful acknowledgments presented.
"Now thanks be to God," &c.
I. Now thanks to God should be glowing and ardent.
The soul should devoutly appreciate the blessings imparted; and with earnestness and fervor bless God for them.
2. Thanks to God should be constant.
He "always" causeth us, &c. There fore we should bless him at all times. "In every thing give thanks."
3. Thanks to God should be practical.
Lip and heart, and life, should exalt him We should "show forth" his praise.
4. Thanks to God are indispensable.
We cannot be happy, we cannot continue to receive his grace, we cannot triumph, if we neglect to offer up praise to the Most High.
5. Thanks to God will be eternal.
All the saints in glory will extol and bless him forever and ever.
Application
To obtain the triumph expressed in the text’97There must be vigilance, self-denial, constancy, and perseverance. We must fight manfully, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS