One Win to Glory

In any athletic climate, there is the general fact that even if a team is fortunate and talented enough to make it to that sport’s championship game or series, still they are one victory away from glory. Runners-up are rarely recalled and many view second place as the “first loser.” There is, then, great pressure on competitors to produce and win; and there is equal pressure upon every soul in the game of life. We, like athletes, are still one victory away from glory, but what victory is it to which we refer?

The Corinthian church was confused. Will we rise from the grave or will we not? What type of resurrection will it be and how can we be confident in that resurrection? All of these were questions that they apparently were struggling with, and when Paul wrote to them the first time he dedicated a lengthy chapter to deal with those concerns. It is, however, in I Corinthians 15:51-55 that Paul refers to this victory to which we can look forward and that ensures our glory:

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

What is this victory to which we look? It is the victory our God shall grant us over death made possible because of Christ’s resurrection from the grave! And it is only fitting that our time on earth conclude with one final victory because the Lord has blessed His children with other victories through their lives leading up to this great finale. In each human being’s life Christ has given a victory over the law of Moses by having nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14). In each Christian’s life Christ has given a victory over sin by having made Himself the atonement for it (Hebrews 7:27). It can only be according to pattern that one final victory is granted by the Lord and it is victory over the grave.

With all of this in mind, consider three questions about this one win to glory that a better understanding and appreciation might be gathered regarding this great victory. First, when will this victory come? Paul answers in verse fifty-two that it will come at the last trump. When, though, will that trump sound? Paul later stated to the Thessalonian church, who likewise had questions and concerns about the end day:

“But I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you be the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).

Our answer is that the victory will be granted when Christ returns to reclaim His disciples that we might forevermore dwell with Him.

Second, how will this victory be claimed? Back to I Corinthians 15, Paul refers to a change that will take place; a change from corruptible to incorruptible, but to what does that refer. We each inhabit a corruptible body made of flesh and blood, but Paul stated that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven (I Corinthians 15:50). Therefore if we will inherit heaven as our eternal home there must be a change. Our victory will come as God claims us from the grave and our physical bodies are changed to spiritual, corruptible to incorruptible, and mortal to immortal. Therefore our second answer is that this victory will be granted by the power of God.

Then third, why will this victory take place? Because Jesus Christ first overcame the same foe. On the third day after His ruthless crucifixion the tomb was found empty because Christ came out of the grave. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57). And thus, our third answer is that He won, thus we will win. Pure and simple.

Many view death as a captor or as a sure demise. Christians, though, because of the grace and power of God can view death as nothing more than a rival over which one day we will win. Brethren, we are but one win from glory, therefore, according to the instruction of Paul “be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (I Corinthians 15:58).