Part 5 of the Lenten “Stripped” Series (Blog created with the help of AI)
As I look around at today’s headlines—new tariffs against allied nations, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Germany preparing for potential war with Russia—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the powers that seem to control our world. Perhaps you feel it too: that sense of powerlessness in the face of global politics, economic forces, or even personal struggles against spiritual darkness.
But what if I told you these powers have already been defeated?
The Powers That Seemed Undefeatable
When Jesus walked the earth, He faced opposition from the most formidable powers of His day:
The Religious Authorities: The Sanhedrin, guardians of Jewish law and tradition, saw Jesus as a threat to their carefully maintained religious system. They were willing to condemn an innocent man to protect their position.
The Roman Empire: The most powerful political force in the world used its might to scourge, mock, and ultimately crucify Jesus. Rome’s message was clear: challenge our authority, and this is what happens.
Behind these visible, earthly powers operated something more sinister. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
These spiritual forces recognized Jesus (Mark 1:24) but misunderstood God’s plan. They believed killing the Messiah would derail salvation. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
The Great Reversal at the Cross
What appeared to be Jesus’ moment of ultimate defeat was actually His triumph. The cross—an instrument of shame and torture—became the very means by which Christ stripped these powers of their authority.
Colossians 2:15 puts it powerfully: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
The Greek word translated “disarmed” literally means “to strip off completely,” like removing armor from a defeated foe. Through His apparent weakness, Christ exposed the true powerlessness of every authority that sets itself against God’s kingdom.
This is the great paradox of the cross: what looked like defeat was actually victory. What seemed like shame became glory. What appeared to be weakness revealed itself as the greatest power in the universe—the power of God’s self-giving love.
Living in Christ’s Victory, Not Fear
So what does this mean for us today?
When we watch the news and feel anxiety rising, when political leaders make troubling decisions, when economic uncertainties loom, or when we sense spiritual opposition in our personal lives—we have a choice. We can either live in fear of these powers, or we can live from Christ’s victory over them.
Here’s what living from victory looks like:
1. We Stand in Freedom, Not Fear
If Christ has already disarmed the powers, we need not cower before them. No law, leader, or spiritual force can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). As Paul reminds us, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Even death itself—that final enemy—has lost its sting.
2. We Practice Humble Confidence
James 4:7 instructs us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Because Christ has already won the decisive battle, we can stand firm against evil with confidence—not in ourselves, but in His finished work.
This confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s balanced by humility, recognizing that the victory belongs to Christ, not us. We depend entirely on Him while boldly living out the implications of His triumph.
3. We See Through the Illusion of Ultimate Power
When earthly authorities claim absolute power, we see through the facade. We know what the “rulers of this age” don’t: that Christ has exposed their claims as empty. No president, dictator, economic system, or spiritual force holds ultimate authority. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
Practical Steps for Reclaiming Christ’s Victory
How do we live this out practically in a world that still seems dominated by these powers?
First, resist fear. When you see disturbing headlines or feel intimidated by authorities, remember who sits on the ultimate throne. Their apparent power is temporary; Christ’s victory is eternal.
Second, stand firm in spiritual warfare. Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Use Scripture, prayer, and Christian fellowship as your defense against spiritual attacks.
Third, remove the victim mindset. You are not ultimately subject to the powers of this world. In Christ, you are already seated “in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6), far above every other authority.
Finally, live boldly. The early Christians turned the world upside down despite facing opposition from both religious and political powers. They understood what we often forget: that the cross has already stripped these powers of their ultimate authority.
This Lenten Season
As we continue our Lenten journey toward Easter, let the cross remind you that no force—political, spiritual, or personal—can usurp the Lord’s reign. The powers have been stripped. Christ has triumphed. And we get to live in that victory.
Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting? Even death—that ultimate power—has no hold over us, for “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
This week, I challenge you: identify one area where you’ve been living in fear of earthly or spiritual powers. How would your approach change if you truly believed Christ had already disarmed that power? Take one bold step to live from His victory rather than toward it.
This post is part of our Lenten “Stripped” series, exploring how Christ strips away everything that separates us from experiencing God’s redemptive work. Previous posts examined how God strips us of pride, purifies us from hidden sin, removes our old self, and how Christ Himself was stripped in humiliation for our sake.
Join us next week as we explore the final theme in our series: “Stripped for Restoration.”
Gerald Faulkner 