ICS Daily Devotions
Christ Overcame Sin And Death
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NKJV) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting?O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death is pictured as a fearful monster that has a horrible stinger. It has inflicted its pain countless times since man began to die thousands of years ago. We do not like to think about it, but death is stalking each one of us and one day its stinger will find the mark and we will leave here. But there is a difference: it is one thing to die, but it is another thing to die in sin. The Bible says that “the sting of death is sin”. And the penalty of sin is death, which is eternal separation from God.
The law is a school master and it educates us regarding what sin is. But the law is not able to make us righteous. The law condemns us that we are sinful and wicked in our ways and our thought life. The law shows us that we are sinners and it gives sin its rightful claim of death upon us. It acts as a mirror for our lives. It is intended by God to reveal to man that he is a sinner. It is law that reveals our true nature. It has no power to save us, just like philosophy has no power to make us right before God. Nobody is able to use their own righteous act to gain acceptance by God and there is a constant
reminder of their sin. One day, when death comes for the lost person, they will feel the sting of a lifetime of sin and then drop off into eternity with or without God.
2 Corinthians 5:21(NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Nobody was able to deal with the sin issue. No animals blood, good works or philosophy can take away the condemnation of sin. The only way to eliminate that sting is to have that sin taken care of. And we can thank Jesus for it! Christ dealt with the sin issue that separated us from God. God placed the sin of mankind onto Jesus and judged sin on the cross. It was meant for us but God’s wrath towards sin fell upon Jesus instead. He paid the price for sin by becoming sin for us. We are able to have the righteousness of God. We have the righteousness of God because we have the imputed
righteousness upon believing and accepting Christ.
Jesus tasted death for every man or as a substitute of everyman. Jesus identified with every man in his spiritual death when he was made sin of mankind. He took upon each and every one of our sins. He was made the penalty for sin because of the curse of spiritual death.
Hebrews 2:14 (NKJV) Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
The devil was holding those who have rebelled against God because he had the power of death. Satan accepted Jesus in placed of the sinners but Satan could not hold Him. While Jesus bore the sin of mankind and suffered for us, He was sinless and blameless. Therefore, the devil could not hold him in death. When Christ paid the price of the penalty of sin, He satisfied the demand of justice, He satisfied the debt paid to the Father. Christ’s death gave complete satisfaction to the Father for divine justice! This is the reason why it is so important for us to understand the truth that we are hidden in Christ.
Sermon Series: Resurrection Sunday
