One of the great blessings we all enjoy as Christians is our victory over Satan, sin, and the world. John spoke of being victorious.
1 John 5:4–5 (ESV)
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This world over which we have victory is the same one John spoke of in the second chapter of his first epistle.
1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
We have overcome all the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. Since all sin falls into one of these categories, we have, by the grace of God, victory over sin. Paul sums up what this means for us.
1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (ESV)
55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have overcome the power and consequences of sin; thus, we have victory over death. Death is not something that we fear as Christians. Why? Because what comes next for us is far better than anything we experience in this life.
Philippians 1:22–23 (ESV)
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Paul truly wanted to depart from this world. The only reason he had for staying was to help his brethren grow and continue to overcome. While the world fears death to the point of being in bondage (Hebrews 2:15), we know that death brings immediate joy in paradise (Luke 16:19-22; 23:43). Death has lost its sting for those of us who are children of God. Instead of being something that we fear or dread, it is something to which we can all look forward. Whenever it comes, it will be a blessing.
Revelation 14:13 (ESV)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.