TRIUMPH OVER DEATH and the GRAVE "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). The Christian soldier may, with the greatest propriety, be said to "war a good warfare" (1　Timothy 1:19). He is engaged in a good cause; he fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers would be presumption, and has often been the cause of defeat; he may triumph while he is in the heat of battle, and assure himself of victory before the conflict is actually decided; for the Lord, his great Commander, fights for him, goes before him, and treads his enemies under his feet. Such a persuasion, when solidly grounded upon the promises and engagement of a faithful and unchangeable God, is sufficient, it should seem, to make a coward bold. True Christians are not cowards, yet, when they compare themselves with their adversaries, they see much reason for fear and suspicion on their own parts; but when they look to their Savior, they are enlightened, strengthened, and comforted. They consider who He is and what He has done; that the battle is not so much theirs as His; that He is their strength and their shield, and that His honor is concerned in the event of the war. Thus out of weakness they are made strong; and however pressed and opposed, they can say,
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). The whole power of the opposition against them is summed up in the words "sin" and "death;" but these enemies are already weakened and disarmed. It is sin that furnished death with its sting; a sting sharpened and strengthened by the law. But Jesus, by His obedience unto death, has made an end of sin, and has so fulfilled and satisfied the law on their behalf, that death is deprived of its sting, and can no longer hurt them. They may therefore meet it with confidence, and say, "Blessed be God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."–John Newton, author of Amazing Grace
"Ye sinners, seek His grace, Whose wrath ye cannot bear; Fly to the shelter of His cross, And find salvation there."
"WHO IS THIS?" (Matthew 21:10) ALL religious reformers and messiahs come to live; Christ came to die.
ALL others leave monuments and memorials: no one can find His birthplace, grave, nor one possession.
ALL others write diaries and memoirs; He wrote on the sand.
ALL others choose their followers from the rich, powerful, and influential; He chose the poor and needy.
ALL others praise human righteousness; He condemned it.
ALL others seek those who can help them; He sought those whom He could help.
ALL others promise success and happiness to their followers; He promised tribulation and suffering.
ALL others held their disciples with fear and force; He invited His to leave Him if they would.
ALL others have palaces, mansions, and headquarters; He had no place to lay His head.
ALL others reward the most talented with recognition, titles, and honor; He said, "The least should be the greatest."
ALL others say, "Follow me; I will show you the way;" He said, "Come to Me, I AM THE WAY."
ALL others claim to be the messengers of God; He said, "HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN GOD."
ALL others stay dead; He arose; and all of His claims, works, and promises are true because God raised Him from the dead. –Henry Mahan
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