Chapter 85: Participating in Christ's Victory by Faith

When God brought Israel to the boundary of Canaan, he invited them to participate in the promised victory. When Israel stepped out in faith to attack the pagan Canaanites, they discovered that God helped them to succeed.

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.  Joshua 1:1–5 (NASB95)

The first generation who escaped Egypt refused to accept God’s invitation to take the promised land by faith. They were afraid that God would not be with them; so, they never experienced the victory that could have been theirs and died in the desert.

God designed faith to produce obedience by which we experience his grace.

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,  Romans 1:5 (NKJV)

True faith acts as if it believes that God is faithful to his promises. Intellectual faith leads to lip service with no follow through. That is why James wrote that our faith can be seen by our actions.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  James 2:18 (NKJV)

If we take God’s faith challenge and do what he commands, we will experience God’s grace enabling us to succeed.

The Canaanites were formidable enemies who threatened Israel’s safety. It took courage and faith in God to face and overcome them. God told Joshua…

Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.  Joshua 1:6–7 (NASB95)

Courage is evidence of faith.

It gives us the ability to face our enemies and our fears with the confidence that God is with us. It is vital that we stand by faith or we may find ourselves overthrown by fear.

…If you will not believe, Surely you shall not be established.  Isaiah 7:9 (NKJV)

When Gideon was asked to lead Israel against a seemingly overwhelming army, God told him…

“…I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”  Judges 6:16 (NLT)

If God is with us, who can be against us. (Romans 8:31) We understand that he who lives within us is greater than any enemy we may face. (1 John 4:4) We rely on Jesus’ promise that nothing can ultimately harm us.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.  Luke 10:19 (NASB95)

When Joshua defeated five of the kings of Canaan, he had them brought before him and made them lie upon the ground. It was customary for conquering kings to place their feet upon the necks of those he conquered, but in this case Joshua (who was a type of Christ) had his soldiers do the deed.

When they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. 25 Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” 26 So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening.  Joshua 10:24–26 (NASB95)

This foreshadowed how Jesus allows his church to participate in his victory over Satan.

When our Lord died on the cross and rose again, he effectually and legally defeated Satan and put him to an open shame.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.  Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

Afterward, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he sits waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool.

“For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”  Acts 2:34–36 (NASB95)

This means that Satan is legally defeated, but his final humiliation at the hands of the church waits for God’s perfect timing.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  Romans 16:20 (NASB95)

This may not be completed until the Second Coming, resurrection, and final judgment, at which time the Bible says that we will receive what is called the “adoption” or full sonship, including authority to judge angels. (1 Corinthians 6:3) However, as we wait for that day, we are charged with extending Christ’s rule through the preaching of the gospel, making disciples, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and exercising Christ’s spiritual authority through the power of the Spirit. This also includes being involved in secular activities and politics as representatives of Christ.

If we do not involve ourselves in the everyday affairs of secular government, by default we cede that area to the devil and his minions, who are more than willing to fill the vacuum.

Jesus told us to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-14) and a lamp set on a stand (Luke 8:16) for all to see. This involves more than simply ministering to like-minded people within the walls of the local church. It includes becoming an answer to our Lord’s prayer that workers be sent into the harvest.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9:36–38 (NASB95)

As people hear, believe, and respond to the gospel, the kingdom of God is extended. As we use Christ’s authority to heal, deliver, and set the captives free, the kingdom of God comes in an experiential way.

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  Matthew 12:28 (NASB95)

As we go outside the walls of the church to let our light shine and bring good news, more and more people will come under the influence of our Lord’s kingdom. The goal is for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. It is God’s plan for his glory to cover the earth (Habakkuk 2:14) after he pours out his Spirit upon “all flesh,” as prophesied by Joel.

It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29 “Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.  Joel 2:28–29 (NASB95)

God includes his church in his plans and will use us to accomplish what he promised.

The wisdom of God will be revealed through the church.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Ephesians 3:10–11 (NLT)

It is our responsibility and privilege to contend for what God has given to us, just as Israel contended for the promised land.

Paul told Timothy to fight the fight of faith.

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)

Eternal life is a gift purchased by the blood of our Lord Jesus. Nevertheless, we must take hold of it and receive it by faith.

We have a responsibility to seek and lay hold of what has been freely given to us.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12–14 (NASB95)

Even though our Lord Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, we must do our part by “wrestling” with spiritual wickedness.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Christ’s victory must be enforced by his representatives who carry his authority and are empowered by God’s Spirit.

God gave Joshua and the Israelites all the land on which they set foot in warfare mode. Those who refused to fight did not share in the victory. In fact, that initial disobedient generation died in the wilderness because of the disobedience caused by their unbelief.

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.  Hebrews 4:1–3 (NASB95)

Because God’s purpose is to mature us as sons and daughters, he ordained that, even though Christ completed the work of salvation, we only get to experience it through the obedience of faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:8–10 (NKJV)

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)

In spiritual warfare, we contend by faith for what Christ already won.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)

In many cases, we can discern the areas in which we are responsible to God to possess by faith. God’s gifts to us are our assignments, as is the case with children. What he gives us becomes our responsibility to steward and govern.