This verse in First Corinthians reveals that, in Christ, God has given us everything we need to live a life of victory and blessing. For our daily needs, as well as for every crisis, God has provided whatever it is we require to be the overcomers He's destined us to be. First, through our union with Christ, we are provided with wisdom. We are not limited to worldly resources when we need to make a decision, large or small. But we are invited to call upon the Lord in faith, and to simply ask Him for His wisdom and guidance in every matter that concerns us. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5 NIV) Possessing God's wisdom in a situation can make the difference between provision and lack, wholeness and sickness, safety and harm. The Lord told His prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6 NIV) When we fail to seek the Lord for His wisdom in a situation, we leave ourselves open to the Destroyer, and we forfeit the provision and protection that our God had in store for us. The apostle Paul wrote: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." (Colossians 3:16 NKJV) If we will read, study, and meditate on God's Word, applying its principles to our lives, we will limit the devil's efforts against us to "steal, kill, and destroy." (John 10:10)

Through Christ, we are provided with righteousness. Scripture says: "God made [Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) It's absolutely essential for us to understand and acknowledge that we have right-standing with God through Christ. Every day, in every way, we must "stand firm...with [our] breastplate of righteousness in place." (Ephesians 6:14 NIV) I especially like the Living Bible translation, which says that in order for us to resist satanic attack, "[we] will need...the breastplate of God's approval." Without a constant awareness of our righteousness in Christ, we will not be able to walk in the Christlike confidence that will enable us to fulfill our God-given purpose and potential. And our prayers won't be as effective. James 5:16 (NIV) says: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Only by remembering our right-standing with God through Christ will we be able to pray the bold and mighty prayers that are able to bring the perfect will of God to bear on a situation.

In Christ, God provides us with sanctification. The word "sanctified" means that we are "set apart for sacred use, cleansed and made holy." The Bible talks about "the sanctifying work of the Spirit." (1 Peter 1:2 NIV) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you as a follower of Christ, "God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him." (Philippians 2:13 NLT) And you can cooperate with that process by devoting yourself to the Word of God, which also has the power to sanctify. Paul wrote: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT) Studying and applying God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. When Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf, He said: "Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth." (John 17:17 NIV)

Through Christ, we are provided with redemption. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) says: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." You are no longer at the mercy of your past. You aren't even at the mercy of your family's past. For, "It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV) We've been given a new way of living--because as our Redeemer, "[Christ] personally carried the load of our sins in His own body when He died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on." (1 Peter 2:24 TLB) Jesus is all you need to live a life of victory and purpose. Praise Him for His abundant goodness and grace, and begin living the life that belongs to you in Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Jesus has been made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Sink these truths deep in my heart so that I can start making the most of all the benefits that are mine in Christ!