John 16:29-33…
Overcome…
Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? The disciples, who had seemed overwhelmed, now seem overconfident. Jesus informs them that they aren’t as valiant as they think (cf. Zechariah 13:7). They do have faith, but Jesus is looking to guide them into a faith that is less about how they will perform under pressure, and more about how He will even when they don’t.
They would grow in grace, of course. And we are often just like they were. We read that Christ has overcome the world, and we think it is just an example that we should follow with a stronger resolve so that we will overcome too. But our focus should not be on ourselves and problems that we need to overcome. Our focus must be on God and His victorious accomplishments. Many still think they’re heroes, but Jesus is the champion, not you.
The truth is that there will be times in your life when it seems like everyone has let you down. You will be “down and out” and feel all alone. And you’ll know that you can’t even count on yourself. But Jesus has overcome all, including you. This is part of what rejoicing in the Lord is all about. We may at times be overwhelmed, but we are to have faith, not in our ability to overcome but in the fact that He has overcome for us (1 John 5:4).
It is not so much that He gives us the power to overcome as it is that He gives us the faith to understand that He has overcome. We overcome by having faith in Him (Romans 8:35-39 / 2 Corinthians 2:14, 4:7-18 / Galatians 2:20). This is not in the first place about our practice but about our position. Yes, we learn to overcome things in this life. But we can focus on our works, or we can focus on God’s works. Think about it. The reason that we can experience peace in this world is because Jesus has already overcome the world.
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But we can focus on our works,
or we can focus on God’s works.
The only way to grow in grace is to focus on the latter.
The one is for our own glory, the other is for His glory.
Indeed..... think about it.
Not my power, but faith to understand His; not my works, but God's works. It is not for me to be proud of me for overcoming, but mindful that Jesus has already overcome the world. Thanks for the slap of reality. Not I, but Christ.
This was extremely helpful.
Mandi, that was an excellent summation.
Right on to the Mrs.!
Thank you, anon.
Truthfully, this post points out a real key that needs to be understood.
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