What does it mean to have victory in Jesus?

from the old testament

• Victory comes not by our strength but by relying on God's intervention (Exodus 14:13-14), a principle fulfilled in Jesus as our ultimate Deliverer.
• God instructed Joshua to meditate on His Word and to obey it fully (Joshua 1:8). In doing so we can find victory, knowing that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Similarly, living victoriously in Jesus involves knowing and obeying God’s Word and trusting His promises.
• David’s confidence in defeating Goliath came from his faith that "the battle is the Lord’s" (1 Samuel 17:45-47). Likewise, spiritual victory comes through Jesus, who fought on our behalf against sin and death.
• When faced with overwhelming enemies, King Jehoshaphat was told, "The battle is not yours but God’s." The people worshiped, and God miraculously defeated their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). God is sovereign over our battles, which should lead us to worship and surrender to Him.
• Isaiah 53:5 is a prophecy about the Messiah, pointing to Jesus, who achieved victory for us. Through His suffering and bearing our sins, Jesus brought us peace and healing with God.

from the new testament

• Victory in Jesus is His forgiveness of our sin and the promise of eternal life that is given to us who put our faith in Jesus (John 3:16-18).
• We must trust that Jesus is enough to provide freedom and victory for all of us (Romans 5:17).
• Victory in Jesus will often look different than victory in the world's eyes; it looks like overcoming the selfish temptations and sins of the world in favor of the true life offered only through Christ (Romans 5:20-21).
• This victory is not simply about overcoming sinful habits but about dying to sin so we might live in righteousness (Romans 6:11-14; 12:1-2).
• The apostle Paul writes: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Paul is talking about victory over sin and death. He then says in verse 58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” When we walk with Jesus, we walk in obedience and do the work of the Lord. This is our guarantee; we can live in victory like Jesus as we walk beside Him.
• Those who belong to Christ Jesus already have victory because our flesh has been crucified “with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).
• The Holy Spirit enables victory (Philippians 2:12-13).

implications for today

Victory is not our responsibility, and it does not come from our ability. Rather, it is found in Jesus as we submit to His lordship, obey Him, and abide in Him. It is our responsibility to rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28), coming to Him for strength, wisdom, and power to live for Him. Thankfully, the forgiveness Jesus provides frees us from the power of sin and enables us to walk righteously, keeping in step with Him and His work in the world. Once we are saved, we live in the freedom of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. We have the power to say no to sin and live in the abundant life God has for us. This looks like drawing near to God through reading His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), praying to Him (Ephesians 6:18), and surrounding ourselves to Him. We can also live in the victory of Jesus with fellow believers who will encourage us in our daily journey with Him (Hebrews 10:24-25).