Have you ever entered a competition knowing that you would win? Maybe you were the best cross-country runner in high school, and you knew you could easily outrun your competitors. Maybe your child asked you to play a game that you were sure you would win. Stepping into a competition where you are confident you will have victory is different from competitions where you do not know the outcome. When we know we have the victory, we have peace and confidence. This is also true of the spiritual battle we are facing. Despite the truth that we have an enemy who wreaks havoc on this earth, we know that God will have the final victory.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 16 that God will have the final victory in the spiritual battles we face every day. In this chapter, he warns readers to be on guard to watch out for people who cause divisions and teach things contrary to Scripture. The enemy uses these kinds of people to cause disunity and cause distractions. Including this warning was a promise: "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (verse 20). Take notice of the promise in this passage of Scripture. God is going to defeat the enemy. The story ends in victory for us. God is going to defeat the enemy. We do not have to worry or fear the future if we have placed our faith in Him. We can hold on to the hope of the victory in Christ.
The battle we are facing is serious, but we can step into the battle confidently, knowing that God will have the victory. The enemy will not win. Sometimes, we forget this truth as we set out to fight the enemy. We forget that God will never be overcome. We let fear get in the way of sharing our faith or standing up for what we believe. Imagine the difference it would make if we stepped into battle remembering the victory that we have because of Jesus. Would you be bolder? Would you be more confident? Would you let go of fear? My friend, it is time that we act and live in the victory that we are promised. After all, nothing can stop our God.
In what area of your life have you let fear overcome your assurance of victory? Maybe you have felt fearful to invite someone to church who needs the hope of Christ. Maybe you have felt fearful about speaking up when you know something goes against God's standards. Holding to the promise that God will defeat the enemy, let go of fear and take a step of faith, remembering that God holds the victory. We have nothing to fear because we serve the most High God.
"And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord's followers.
23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen."
