As this column goes to press I am in New Orleans, Louisiana. On the occasion of the two hundredth
anniversary of the War of 1812 I am recalling the Battle of New Orleans fought in
this area January 8 – 9, 1815. That
decisive military action led by Major General Andrew Jackson is still regarded
as the greatest land victory of the war.
It, no doubt, helped serve to catapult “Old Hickory” to the presidency
later in life.
Jackson's victory
saved New Orleans, but ironically it came after the war was over. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium
December 24, 1814 effectively bringing an end to the war. Hostilities continued in the Mississippi
Delta until late February when communications finally reached combatants in Louisiana
bringing an end to the conflict. Sadly,
the United States and the United Kingdom together lost 441 soldiers with
another 1706 wounded and 645 reported missing in a battle which did not have to
be fought.
On a far more cosmic scale many are waging a war that has
already been won. On the Cross Jesus
shouted, “It is finished” (Jhn. 19: 30) not “It will soon be finished” or “It
is almost finished” as if we must win a victory He only began. Jesus never does anything partially. Is work is always finished work and that
includes His work of victory for the believer.
We fight from victory in the
Christian life not for victory in the
Christian life. Victory is not ours due
to self effort but due to the absolute sufficiency of our Savior and the true
victory He secured for us at the Cross.
In the Bible victory is never in doubt for the
Christian. “Now thanks be unto God,
which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2: 14). “No, in all these things we are more than
victorious through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8: 37 HCSB). “This is the victory that has conquered the
world: our faith” (1 Jhn. 5: 4 HCSB).
Jesus Himself terms us “victors” (Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 26; 3: 5, 12, 21). He said, “You will have suffering in this
world. Be courageous! I have conquered
the world” (Jhn. 16: 33 HCSB). The world
may say we are defeated but the Word says we are dominators!
One aside to our analogy: the Treaty of Ghent ended the war but left the
issues which led to conflict largely unresolved. Be assured Jesus’ victory at the Cross was no
fiction! He won a real victory and
resolved the issues He came to resolve.
There is no reason for any follower of Christ to permit our
external enemy (the world), our internal enemy (the flesh) or our infernal
enemy (the devil) to kick our spiritual teeth in and leave us less than
conquerors. By God’s grace and for His
glory we can move from victory to victory today regardless of our opposition or
difficulties.
