Victory in Jesus – Part Two

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  I Corinthians 15: 57, 58

On January 8, 1815 Major General Andrew Jackson and 5,000 men consisting of rag-tag regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee along with pirates of the sea under the command of Jean Laffite defended the city of New Orleans. They were opposed by 8,000 crack British forces; considered the best army in the world.

Seven of Jackson’s men were killed, and over 700 British were killed. Jackson had six men wounded, and the British had over 1,400 wounded along with 500 captured. It was a remarkable victory for the forces led by Andrew Jackson and propelled him into national prominence.

The outcome of the battle did not have influence on the outcome of that war, the War of 1812, because a peace treaty had been signed two weeks earlier. News traveled so slowly the word had not been received in New Orleans. Even though the victory was assured they fought as though the outcome of the war depended upon them.

A loss by Jackson would have been nullified by the winning of the war that had already occurred.

Our beloved Lord Jesus Christ won for us the ultimate victory on Calvary many years ago. However, we must engage in the spiritual warfare of our day as though the outcome is dependent upon us.

In reality we do not fight for victory, but from victory. It is His victory in which we share.

“Victory in Jesus” was the final song that E. M. Bartlett wrote. The hymn also became his best known and most embraced song. The song is an optimistic reminder of our daily victory and of the hope of heaven. The chorus reminds us of the victory.

“O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Don’t just sing it  – – – live it.