Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva
Greetings of peace and blessing to all my kababayans!
My heart aches every time I see a fellowman in need. As a reader of Mao Tse-Tung, this brought me to the streets to rally for the cause of the poor and marginalized. But as a Christian, this has brought me to the streets to trumpet the cause of Jesus Christ and what He went through so that everyone of us might have a life that is truly life. Because I no longer just see a fellowman in need, I see a fellowman in need of Christ.
Just a few days ago, as I was traversing through the busy streets of Manila, almost all the faces I passed by—men and women, young and old, rich and poor—were marked with a certain look. From the baby carried by a young teenager begging for money, to the well-groomed man grumpily slumped on the backseat of his car, everyone’s faces were all hungry for victory.
Of course, all of us want to be victorious, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, we MUST want victory, because in John 10:10, we read the very words of Jesus Himself, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
This victory, however, is more than just the victory we all dream of. It is more than just a big house, a new car, and a thriving business—all of these will eventually rot and fail. It is a victory that is lasting, that can never be taken away from us, because it is a victory paid for, not by money, but by the very blood and life of Jesus Christ:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
This victory is forgiveness of sins and removal of shame. This victory is freedom from the grip of guilt and the chains of death. This victory is fullness of joy in this present time and eternal life in the time to come. And this victory IS ours.
That is, IF we are IN Christ. 1 John 5:4-5 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Therefore, if we want genuine victory, we must declare Jesus’ victory over our lives by making Him the Ruler and Lord of our hearts. After all, the greatest victory there is is a life IN and WITH Jesus Christ.
So let us go to the Source of all victories, the Great Victor who slayed death with His life, Jesus Christ, and experience a life of victory.
Shalom! Shalom!