Faith that Overcomes the World

His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16: 29-33).

The disciples thought they had finally arrived. They had it all figured out. They were certain of what they believed, that Jesus “came from God”. They even knew why they believed this, because Jesus knew ‘all things”. It’s as if they expected some kind of reward or recognition from the Teacher. Perhaps a diploma acknowledging their graduation from disciple school would have been appropriate. Instead, Jesus responded with a question… “Do you now believe?” While not denying their faith, He wanted them to see that it was a temporary, fleeting phenomenon. Their boldly declared faith was soon to be severely tested. Jesus knew the trying events of His passion and crucifixion would compel them to desert Him, to forsake the mission He gave them, and to return to the comfort and security of their former lives. Why was He telling them this? Because He was challenging His disciples to move on past their infantile belief that He is the Christ. He knew the coming days would challenge them to embrace the kind of faith that grows through trials and matures with experience. He wanted them to know the kind of maturing and enduring faith in Him that produces peace in the midst of tribulation and victory over every attack. Jesus wants His disciples in every age to grow into faith that overcomes the world.

Contrary to the prevalent teaching of the church here in the west, faith is not a one-time event. It’s not a final destination that you never venture beyond. It’s much more than a salvation prayer, a date noted in the front of our Bible, or an event memorialized in baptism. These are all important events, but just as a wedding only initiates but does not guarantee a fulfilled, successful marriage, so too a prayerful declaration of faith initiates but does not guarantee a fulfilled, successful life of discipleship and victory. Living in and overcoming the hostility of this inhospitable world as we live for the glory of God and advance His eternal kingdom requires a steadfast, maturing faith in Christ that grows in response to His revelation of Himself to us every day… “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). And this faith must endure the attacks of our Adversary and the world until we return to Jesus or He returns for us… “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

What are the characteristics of maturing, enduring faith that overcomes the world? Jesus reveals some of them in today’s discourse.  First, in predicting that His disciples would soon desert Him and the mission, Jesus acknowledged that failure can produce maturing and enduring faith. The Spirit echoed this truth… “The righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:16). The disciples fell, but they got back up and back in the race. All but John died as martyrs, the evidence that their faith matured beyond failure and exhortation to remember that failure is an event, not a person.

Second, in promising tribulation during their journey through this world Jesus taught that trials can sharpen and strengthen maturing and enduring faith. Again, the Spirit of truth echoes this word… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Tough times produce timeless faith.

As we grow up into Christ our failures and trials will produce a maturing and enduring…

Faith that Overcomes the World.