Victory in Jesus? Or did you win the victory?

This song is another example of what some of us call the ‘stinkin’ thinkin‘ of load-ship doctrine (otherwise called lordship doctrine).  

Did you all ever sing this song? This is an old song that we all knew and probably loved, without realizing what words we were actually singing…

It was called Victory in Jesus.

There is most certainly victory in Jesus, but is this what the lyrics are declaring?  

Who obtained the victory for us over sin and death?

Victory in Jesus

Friend, if your church is still singing this, I want to caution you. We are all responsible, every single believer, to mark and avoid those who bring a different doctrine (Rom 16:17). We are not to bear with someone who brings another gospel (2 Cor 11:3-4). We will be held accountable for this. We could make a young one who believes in Him to stumble (I know, I was one). Or, we could cause an unbeliever to stay lost. Since the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16-17; 1 Cor 1:17-18), don’t we want to keep it really very clear in everything we express?

The Song goes like this — 

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,

(My comment: It was good to this point)

Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Is that how it goes? Once we hear the good news, we repent of our sins to win the victory? (This is Load-ship doctrine, or Calvinist perseverance of the saints teaching. It is also very prevalent in AOG and Pentecostal/Arminian based churches).

I implore church leaders to consider whether it’s right to introduce a little leaven into the church. Whether unknowingly, or by thinking we can glean a little good here and there from some of the old? If Antichrists were around since the beginning of the church, shouldn’t we be in remembrance that wolves were in sheep’s clothing doing good works in His name? It was only inwardly that they were ravening wolves, people did not see that outwardly.

Who is Isaiah 42 addressing?

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.  Matt 12:18-21

This Servant, Jesus Christ, had victory over death, and victory over sin for us.  

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Cor 15:55-57

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom 10:4

But, shouldn’t we repent from sin?

By all means! Believers should turn from sin. We do it with help from Him, hiding His Word in our heart, continuing in His Word, taking heed to it, being washed by it, etc. (Ps 119:9-11; John 8:31-32; Eph 5:26).  We should walk in the Spirit vs. the lusts of the flesh, and we should add to our faith so we will become fruitful (2 Pet 5-9). We should also be careful to do good works because it’s beneficial to all men (Titus 3:8). But please don’t change the gospel by adding the work of turning from sin to a requirement of becoming saved. That becomes another gospel. Repent does not mean ‘repent from sin’. You will see the word itself changed in some of the bad paraphrases like NLT or the Living Bible. Please, be a noble Berean! (Acts 17:11)

It is His victory, not ours!

Jesus is the one who spoiled principalities and powers and openly made a show over them, and triumphed over them. 

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  Col 2:13-15

So how do we get victory with eternal life?

Solely by belief in Him alone — He is the only One that has gained the victory. We need to understand, that this is what He asks of us. Do not let tradition, church-isms, or any phrases we grew up with us to somehow cause us to subtly corrupt the gospel.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

Remember words have meaning

Doctrine matters. What we say or sing matters. What we hear or study does matter. Be careful little ears what you hear… Pastors need to take heed to the doctrine, saving both themselves and their hearers (1 Tim 4:16). They can cause young ones to stumble by incorrect doctrine, let alone stumbling themselves. Worse? We can corrupt the simplicity that is in Christ regarding the Gospel (2 Cor 11:3-4). Please friends, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered.   

Not one person wins the victory (for eternal life) in turning from our sins. Turning from sin is keeping the law. It is a work of the law by which we can never be saved/justified (Gal 2:16).

Jesus said, HAVE FAITH!

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.  (Acts 16:31)

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, so please read the book of John, search for ‘Gospel’ on this site, or go to the link ‘Gospel’ above. You can also listen here to find out what you can do to be saved.

ETERNAL LIFE FOR YOU