Manifested love, Pt 30: Be on guard

John 16:29-33                        29Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Zechariah 13:7                      7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the LORD Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Philippians 1:27-29               27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, …. I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ....

Peace with me

O to have peace with Christ—what a thought!  There are several meanings of that phrase—peace through salvation and peace in the midst of tribulation—and the latter is probably in view here.  I certainly have wondered, “How can I have peace with Christ in the midst of this mess?”  This is a tough one to get a handle on.  In the flesh, we want everything to go smoothly and to have no struggles in our lives, but I think most people recognize this just doesn’t happen.  We live in a sinful, broken world—I think everyone would agree with that—so the question becomes, “How do we manage our struggles?”

When Jesus says we will have peace with him he does not mean everything will be peaches and cream, but that in spite of the difficulties of life we will have peace because of our relationship with him.  This has been a hard and confusing night for the disciples.  After all, Jesus had told them he had come from the Father, was going back to Him, that he was about to be betrayed, that Peter would deny him, that he was hated and that they would be too, and that they, his disciples would abandon him when he most needs them.  All of this was purposeful conversation because Jesus understood that when these things happened the disciples’ faith would be increased.  Jesus wants his disciples, and us, to remember that much blessing comes into our lives through our relationship with him.

The world brings tribulation

We think we know the meaning of tribulation:  We think it means struggle, or trial, or difficulty.  But really a better meaning is ‘pressure’.  The world doesn’t hold to the high values of God; the world believes in relative morality and situational ethics.  Above all, it is adamantly opposed to anything that smacks of higher standards or Biblical values.  As a consequence we are daily faced with opposition to our belief in Christ and the effect he can have on our lives.

But the main opposition doesn’t come from the world; it comes from us.  The world is just who we blame.  The truth is we are all spiritual failures; it is hard to get through even just one day without engaging our habitual sin, what ever that is for each of us.  Satan uses the ‘wouldas-shouldas-couldas’ to tell us we are no good and beyond redemption.  He will do anything to keep us out of effective use for the Kingdom of God.  The worst part though is that if we were to believe those lies, he would lay guilt upon our shoulders by saying, “See, I told you so!”  But that is not the righteous path.  The right way is to humble ourselves before God and seek his help when we struggle.

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:6-7)

The answer to difficulty is to be on guard against our own sin.  It is common when things are not going well to blame the other guy for his part in it, or blame some unnamed person for the circumstances which surround us.  But none of that fixes the problem.  The problem often lies within our heart.  Maybe we are an angry, stressful person who just pushes everyone away.  Maybe the circumstance is a result of some action or decision we made.  The answer is always to turn towards God and ask him to highlight things which need to change in our lives. 

I have overcome the world

And here is where the greatest weapon against darkness lays.  Jesus is in the throes of victory.  Although Calvary still lies a few days away the work leading up to it is all but done.  Satan is defeated!  God has won!  Those who will accept his Son will be granted eternal life!  “Remember this,” Jesus is saying, “yes the world brings trouble, but I have overcome the world.  None of it’s tribulations will stick to you.”  Most of us come to Christ because of difficult times; we are stubborn and unwilling to change unless forced to.  So, believe, if you have come to that place, is it really much more to ask God to help you change the negative parts of your life?

What about me?

Faith is the key to peace.  Since we are fleshly people, all with a sin nature, it can be difficult to conceive of peace in the midst of struggle.  We tend to panic, even sink into the depths of depression, when encountering a seemingly impossible struggle.  Many passages teach that we should trust in Jesus but this is difficult to do.  But here’s the thing:  Our struggles are never as severe as they initially seem.  There is great blessing which arises from allowing Jesus to minister to us through our friends in the Body of Christ.  When I recently broke my ankle (3 months in the hospital or rehab and 12 screws) I entered a period of deep depression.  My pastor friend refers to it as the time he had to talk me off the ledge.  Many people came to visit, some to pray, some to hold my hand, some to help me laugh.  When we trust Jesus, he helps us through our struggles.  James 1:2 says we should consider it great joy when we face trials because it is through the trials that we develop patience and perseverance and learn intimate relation with Jesus.

Believer, peace in Jesus is a real thing.  Seek it out and you will be blessed.