Paul says in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. Most of us do not particularly feel like conquerors or victors, but in Christ, we can thrive and not merely survive. It’s not because of our own strength or skill or ability, however, but because of the victory Christ won on the cross. We may face ‘‘trouble, hard times, hatred, hunger, homelessness, bullying threats, backstabbing… even the worst sins listed in Scripture’ (Rom 8:35), but still nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and so we can overcome all that comes against us. Paul is adamant that no circumstance in life can ultimately knock us down!
The cross may well look like defeat initially, but we see that God’s ways are not ours (1 Cor 1:18-25) and that the resurrection shows us God’s power is greater than any obstacle we will ever face. We do not have to live with fear and anxiety making us feel as though we are permanently treading on eggshells. Instead, we can have confidence that Jesus’s victory over sin, death and the grave means we have a future that is guaranteed.
As we see God as our provider, healer, rock and salvation, the now becomes more than bearable, but Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that there is a future we must also look towards. What we have now, here, on this earth, is not all that will be. There is a glory yet to be revealed. (Rom 8:18) There is a groaning in creation itself as we wait for God’s final judgment and the making of a new heaven and new earth, and we feel this groaning ourselves. (Rom 8:22-25) Being more than conquerors means accepting that this world is not the end of the story.
Rend Collective, in their song ‘More Than Conquerors’, remind us:
‘Nothing is impossible.
Every chain is breakable.
With You, we are victorious.
You are stronger than our hearts;
You are greater than the dark.
With You, we are victorious.’ (‘More Than Conquerors’, Rend Collective)
May we enter Christ’s victory and see that this gives us purpose and power in our own daily lives.