Victory through Christ

As we are heading into thanksgiving, Paul begins our week reminding us what has been given to us through Jesus Christ.  He says, "Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Paul was aware of how much was given to us through Jesus Christ.  You see Paul at one time was a strong opposer of the church.  Before he became a Christian he was a persecuter of the church.  It says in the book of Acts that he went from house to house looking for Christians and when he found them he put then into prison.  In fact he was on his way to Damascus when Jesus Christ met him and changed his life.  Paul was one of those men Jesus talked about.  "Those that have been forgiven much, love much."  Paul had been forgiven of so much that he wanted everyone to know what Jesus had done for him.  Paul had received eternal and abundant life through Jesus Christ.  He was a sinner turned saint.  He knew what Jesus had done for him and the victory that came through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He knew that Jesus allowed His body to be broken and His blood shed so that we could have forgiveness of sin and come into a relationship with God.  Paul many times exhorted his readers to follow the Lord with every thing they had.  He knew that we have victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  That we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ,  The gifts and the fruit of the Spirit are ours through Jesus Christ.  All this and so much more came through Jesus Christ.  So today like Paul give thanks to the Lord for the victory that has been given to you through Jesus Christ.  This will release more benefits in your life for the glory of God.