SR
← The Lamentation of a Sinner/Book 1 · The Lamentation of a Sinner
Chapter 8ParrLament.1.8

The Victory of Christ over Death and the World

Death Transformed into Life

Christ's victory makes death sweet and troubles into spiritual medicine for God's children.

Christ has likewise overcome death in an even more glorious way (if such a thing is possible); for he did not take it away, but left everyone still subject to it, and gave us so much strength and spirit that, whereas before we went to it with great fear, now we are bold through the Spirit, because of the sure hope of resurrection, so that we receive it with joy. It is no longer bitter, but sweet; no longer feared, but desired; it is not death, but life. And it has also pleased God that weaknesses and adversities remain in the world's sight, but the children of God are made by Christ so strong, righteous, whole, and sound that the troubles of the world become comforts of the Spirit; the sufferings of the flesh are medicines for the soul.1 For all kinds of things work for their good and benefit; because in spirit they sense that God, their Father, governs them and arranges all things for their good — so they feel secure.✦2 When persecuted, they are calm and at peace; in times of trouble they are free from weariness, fears, anxieties, suspicions, and miseries; and in the end, all the good and evil of the world work for their good.✦

Daily Victory over Enemies

Christ leaves enemies like the flesh, devil, and worldly wisdom so that through grace we may gain victories and glory.

Moreover, they see that Christ's triumph has been so great that he has not only subdued and defeated all our enemies and their power, but has overthrown and defeated them in a way that everything works for our healing.✦ He could have taken them all away—but then where would our victory, our palm, and our crown have been?✦ For every day we have battles in the flesh, and by the help of grace we win continual victories over sin; because of that we have reason to glorify God, who by his Son has weakened our enemy the devil, and by his Spirit gives us strength to defeat the devil's offspring.✦✦ So every day we acknowledge our Savior's great triumph, and we rejoice in our own battles—which we can in no way credit to any wisdom of this world, since by that wisdom sin only increases.3 And where worldly wisdom governs most, sin rules most: for just as the world is God's enemy, so also its wisdom is hostile to God.✦ And so Christ has declared and exposed it as foolishness.✦4 And although he could have taken away all worldly wisdom, he has left it for his greater glory and for the triumph of his chosen vessels.✦ For before, when it was our ruler against God, now through Christ it serves us for God, like a slave in worldly things; though in supernatural things it is not to be relied on.5

Christ's Triumph over the World

On the cross Christ judges the world as worthless and gives his followers light to despise its honors and threats.

And further, if people ever try to attack and contradict us with the wisdom of the world, still we have through Christ so much supernatural light of the truth that we make a mockery of all who oppose the truth. Christ has also triumphed over the world on the cross.✦ First, because he has exposed it as worthless: though it was covered with the veil of hypocrisy and the clothing of moral virtues, Christ has shown that in God's sight the righteousness of the world is wickedness; and he has borne witness that the works of people not regenerated by him in faith are evil.6 And so Christ has judged and condemned the world as worthless.✦ Furthermore, he has given all who are his so much light and Spirit that they recognize it and despise it—yes, and tread it under their feet, along with all vain honors, dignities, and pleasures, refusing both the attractive promises and the offers it presents.✦7 No—they scorn them instead. And as for the threats and force of the world, they do not fear them at all.✦

The Marvelous Deliverance

Christ cancels our debt, delivers us from every evil, and enriches us beyond words.

Now we can see how great Christ's victory and triumph is: he has delivered everyone the Father gave him from the devil's power, canceling on the cross the written record of our debts. He has delivered us from the condemnation of sin, from the bondage of the law, from the fear of death, from the danger of the world, and from every evil—both in this life and in the life to come. He has enriched us, ennobled us, and made us supremely happy in such a glorious and triumphant way that no tongue can put it into words. And so we are forced to say: his triumph is marvelous.

Christ the True Messiah

Only Christ is the true Savior, and the true Christian experiences all good in him through the law of grace and adoption.

We also see and know that Christ is the true Messiah: for he has delivered humanity from every evil, and through him humanity has all that is good — so he is the true Messiah. Therefore every other helper is only a vain and counterfeit savior, since it is completely and only through this Messiah of ours, Christ, that we are delivered from every evil, and through him we have all that is good. And it is plain and clear that this is true, because the true Christian is a Christian by Christ. And the true Christian feels inwardly, through Christ, so much of God's goodness that even a troubled life and death are sweet to him, and miseries become happiness. Through Christ the true Christian is freed from the bondage of the law, with the law of grace — engraved by the Spirit — dwelling in his heart; and is freed from the sin that reigned in him, from the power of the spirits of hell, from damnation, and from every evil; and is made a son of God, a brother of Christ, an heir of heaven, and lord of the world. So that in Christ, and through Christ, he possesses every good thing.

The Final Victory on Judgment Day

Christ continues to fight in his elect until death is destroyed and the kingdom is presented to the Father.

But we should know that Christ is still fighting in the Spirit in his elect vessel, and will fight right up to the day of judgment.✦8 On that day, that great enemy, death, will be completely destroyed and will exist no more.✦ Then the children of God will rejoice over him, saying: 'O death, where is your victory and sting?'✦9 Then there will be no more trouble or sin—or rather, no evil at all; there will only be heaven for the good and hell for the wicked.✦ Then the victory and triumph of Christ will be fully revealed—he who, according to Paul, will present to his Father the kingdom together with his chosen ones, saved by him.✦10

Follow Our Captain Christ

Christ's grace in choosing us and his finished work call us to take up our cross and share in his kingdom.

It was no small favor toward his children that Christ was chosen by God to save us, his elect, so highly—by the way of the cross. Paul calls it a grace—and a most singular grace.✦ We may well think that he, having been so valiant a captain of God to the world, was full of light, grace, virtue, and spirit. Therefore he might justly say, “Consummatum est.”11 Seeing, then, that the triumph and victory of our captain, Christ, is so marvelous, glorious, and noble—and that we are appointed to this war—let us press ourselves to follow him by bearing our cross, so that we may have fellowship with him in his kingdom.

Read the original English

Christ, likewise, hath overcome death in a more glorious manner (if it be possible); because he hath not taken it away, but, leaving universally all subject to the same, he hath given so much virtue and spirit that, whereas afore we passed thereto with great fear, now we be bold through the Spirit, for the sure hope of resurrection, that we receive it with joy. It is now no more bitter, but sweet; no more feared, but desired; it is no death, but life. And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and adversities do remain to the sight of the world, but the children of God are by Christ made so strong, righteous, whole and sound, that the troubles of the world be comforts of the Spirit; the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soul. For all manner things worketh to their commodity and profit; for they in spirit feel that God, their Father, doth govern them and disposeth all things for their benefit ─ therefore they feel themselves sure. In persecution they are quiet and peaceful; in time of trouble they are without weariness, fears, anxieties, suspicions, miseries; and, finally, all the good and evil of the world worketh to their commodity.

Moreover, they see that the triumph of Christ hath been so great that not only he hath subdued and vanquished all our enemies, and the power of them, but he hath overthrown and vanquished them after such a sort that all things serve to our health. He might, and could, have taken them all away, but where then should have been our victory, palm and crown? For we daily have fights in the flesh, and, by the succour of grace, have continual victories over sin; whereby we have cause to glorify God: that by his Son hath weakened our enemy the devil, and by his Spirit giveth us strength to vanquish his offsprings. So do we knowledge daily the great triumph of our Saviour, and rejoice in our own fights; the which we can no wise impute to any wisdom of this world, seeing sin to increase by it. And where worldly wisdom most governeth, there most sin ruleth: for as the world is enemy to God, so also the wisdom thereof is adverse to God. And therefore Christ hath declared and discovered the same for foolishness. And although he could have taken away all worldly wisdom, yet he hath left it for his greater glory and triumph of his chosen vessels. For before, whereas it was our ruler against God, now by Christ we are served of it for God, as of a slave in worldly things; albeit in supernatural things the same is not to be understand.

And further, if any time men would impugn and gainsay us with the wisdom of the world, yet we have by Christ so much supernatural light of the truth that we make a mock of all those that repugn the truth. Christ, also upon the cross, hath triumphed over the world. First, because he hath discovered the same to be naught, that whereas it was covered with the veil of hypocrisy and the vesture of moral virtues, Christ hath showed that in God's sight the righteousness of the world is wickedness; and he hath yielded witness that the works of men not regenerated by him in faith are evil. And so Christ hath judged and condemned the world for naught. Furthermore he hath given, to all his, so much light and spirit that they know it, and dispraise the same; yea, and tread it under their feet, with all vain honours, dignities and pleasures, not taking the fair promises, neither the offers, which it doth present. Nay, they rather make a scorn of them. And as for the threatenings and force of the world, they nothing fear.

Now, therefore, we may see how great the victory and triumph of Christ is; who hath delivered all those the Father gave him from the power of the devil, cancelling upon the cross the writing of our debts. For he hath delivered us from the condemnation of sin, from the bondage of the law, from the fear of death, from the danger of the world and from all evils ─ in this life, and in the other to come. And he hath enriched us, made us noble and most highly happy after such a glorious and triumphant way as cannot with tongue be expressed. And therefore we are forced to say: his triumph is marvellous.

It is also seen and known that Christ is the true Messiah: for he hath delivered man from all evils, and by him man hath all goodness, so that he is the true Messiah. Therefore all other helpers be but vain and counterfeited saviours, seeing that by this, our Messiah Christ, wholly and only, we be delivered from all evils, and by him we have all goodness. And that this is true it is evident and clear, because the very true Christian, is a Christian by Christ. And the true Christian feeleth inwardly, by Christ, so much goodness of God that even troublous life and death be sweet unto him, and miseries happy. The true Christian by Christ is disburdened from the servitude of the law, having the law of grace (graven by the Spirit) inhabiting his heart ─ and from sin that reigned in him, from the power of the infernal spirits, from damnation and from every evil ─ and is made a son of God, a brother of Christ, heir of heaven and lord of the world. So that in Christ, and by Christ, he possesseth all good things.

But let us know that Christ yet fighteth in spirit in his elect vessel, and shall fight even to the day of judgement. At which day shall that great enemy, death, be wholly destroyed and shall be no more. Then shall the children of God rejoice on him, saying: ‘O death where is thy victory & sting?’ There shall be, then, no more trouble, nor sin, nay rather none evil; but heaven for the good and hell for the wicked. Then shall wholly be discovered the victory and triumph of Christ, who (after Paul) shall present unto his Father the kingdom together with his chosen, saved by him.

It was no little favour towards his children that Christ was chosen of God to save us, his elect, so highly ─ by the way of the cross. Paul calleth it a grace ─ and a most singular grace. We may well think that he, having been to the world so valiant a captain of God, was full of light, grace, virtue and spirit. Therefore he might justly say: ‘Consummatum est.’ We, seeing then that the triumph and victory of our captain, Christ, is so marvellous, glorious and noble; to the which war we be appointed, let us force ourselves to follow him, with bearing our cross, that we may have fellowship with him in his kingdom.

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩Rom.8.28 — And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good — for those who are called according to his purpose.
  2. ↩Rom.8.28 — And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good — for those who are called according to his purpose.
  3. ↩Rom.8.28 — And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good — for those who are called according to his purpose.
  4. ↩1Cor.9.25;2Tim.4.8;Rev.2.10 — Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 2Tim.4.8 — From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. Rev.2.10 — Do not fear at all the things you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will have affliction for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
  5. ↩Gal.5.17 — For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do the things you wish.
  6. ↩1Pet.5.8;Eph.6.11-Eph.6.12 — Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Eph.6.11 — Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Eph.6.12 — For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
  7. ↩Jas.4.4 — Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God? Whoever therefore chooses to be a friend of the world is constituted an enemy of God.
  8. ↩1Cor.1.20-1Cor.1.25;1Cor.3.19 — Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1Cor.1.21 — For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the proclaimed message. 1Cor.1.22 — For Jews demand signs, and Greeks seek wisdom, 1Cor.1.23 — but we proclaim Christ crucified: to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 1Cor.1.24 — but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1Cor.1.25 — For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1Cor.3.19 — For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'
  9. ↩Acts.9.15;Rom.9.21-Rom.9.23 — But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. Rom.9.21 — Does not the potter have authority over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? Rom.9.22 — What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make his power known, bore with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? Rom.9.23 — and in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he had prepared beforehand for glory
  10. ↩Col.2.15;John.16.33 — He disarmed the rulers and the authorities, made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. John.16.33 — I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart — I have overcome the world.
  11. ↩John.12.31 — Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
  12. ↩Ps.91.13;Luke.10.19;Rom.16.20 — You will tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Luke.10.19 — Look, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing at all will harm you. Rom.16.20 — And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
  13. ↩Matt.10.28;John.16.33 — And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. John.16.33 — I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart — I have overcome the world.
  14. ↩Acts.9.15 — But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.
  15. ↩1Cor.15.26;Rev.20.14 — The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Rev.20.14 — And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.
  16. ↩1Cor.15.55 — Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
  17. ↩Rev.21.4 — And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more; neither mourning, nor crying, nor pain will be any more, for the former things have passed away.
  18. ↩1Cor.15.24 — Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after he has abolished every rule and every authority and power.
  19. ↩Eph.2.8;Rom.5.15-Rom.5.17 — For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Rom.5.15 — But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the trespass of the one man, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. Rom.5.16 — And the gift is not like what came through the one who sinned. For the judgment following one trespass led to condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses led to justification. Rom.5.17 — For if by the trespass of the one man death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Source 'passions of the flesh' rendered as 'sufferings of the flesh' (passiones as trials/sufferings), parallel to worldly troubles; the appetitive sense of 'passions' is less likely in this adversity context.
  2. 2 ↩Source 'commodity' rendered as 'good and benefit' (Early Modern sense: advantage/profit), not commercial goods.
  3. 3 ↩Source 'knowledge' is the archaic verb meaning 'acknowledge/confess,' not mental knowledge.
  4. 4 ↩Source 'discovered' means revealed/exposed, not found for the first time.
  5. 5 ↩Source ends 'not to be understand' (period past-participial form). Rendered as not to be relied on for supernatural matters—the contrast with service 'as of a slave in worldly things.'
  6. 6 ↩"the same" / "it" continues the preceding reference to the world and its wisdom; rendered as "it" for clarity while keeping the force of exposing worldly righteousness as nothing.
  7. 7 ↩Source "spirit" is lowercase; rendered "Spirit" in light of the chapter’s earlier gift of strength by Christ’s Spirit, though it could also mean spiritual insight more generally.
  8. 8 ↩elect vessel: retained as the elect person as Christ's chosen instrument; cf. Acts 9:15 'chosen vessel' language.
  9. 9 ↩Quoted taunt compressed from 1 Cor 15:55; pronouns modernized from 'thy' per register policy while preserving the familiar cadence.
  10. 10 ↩'after Paul' rendered as 'according to Paul' (Pauline teaching), not chronological succession after Paul.
  11. 11 ↩Latin Gospel words kept as in the source: Consummatum est (“It is finished”).

The Lamentation of a Sinner companion

A prayer for every moment, already on your phone

Chosen Portion puts a curated historic prayer in front of you each day — so the words are there before the moment arrives.

Chosen Portion is the digital descendant of the carried prayer book: the short daily prayers this collection preserves, delivered one a day to your pocket.

  • One short, memorable prayer delivered daily — build your repertoire a card at a time
  • Prayers matched to real situations: fear, gratitude, decisions, grief, sleep
  • Save favourites into your personal pocket collection you can open anywhere
Chosen Portion — Daily Prayer (free iOS app) →