“These things I have spoken unto you — that in me you might have peace. In the world — you shall have tribulation — but be of good cheer — I have overcome the world!” Jn.16:33
Jesus spoke this wonderful word of encouragement shortly before He went to Calvary. When He suffered the affliction of the cross He endured the worst of conditions — for those He came to save.
Although His outward physical condition was about to become one of unbelievable agony, yet His inner-spiritual position was one of unshakable security. Earlier from Jn.14:10-11 — He told the disciples that He was “in the Father” and that the things He said and did were not of His own authority, but of the authority of the Father. Even so are we in a like relationship with Christ — having been eternally positioned in Him. For in Jesus (who is our peace) we have peace — whereas in the world we have tribulation. But, praise His name — the Lord Jesus has overcome the world.
The grace of faith readily receives this word from God. What an understatement it truly is that in this world we will have tribulation. Everyday proves the veracity of this declaration, and it is certain that our Lord knew this to be true when He said it. What He means to convey unto us — for the strengthening of our faith — is that even though we must endure the tribulation that fills up the conditions of this world, we who are positioned in Him will have peace…because He has overcome the world of tribulation.
“Tribulation” connotes the pressures that we are under on virtually every level of our life. Whereas the word for “peace” communicates the thought of our being in union with our Lord. We are, therefore, by grace united with the only one who has indeed “overcome” the world. That is to say that He has subdued it and brought it completely under His reigning control…Hallelujah! It is no wonder, then, that He also encourages us to “be of good cheer” — which literally means that we are to, in Him, be brave and courageous in the presence of all the world’s trials and pressures.
Is.48:10 declares that the Lord has literally chosen and tried His people “in the furnace of affliction”. We are reminded from this passage of the experience of the three Hebrew boys in the midst of the fiery furnace…with the Son of God. They came out without even the odor of smoke on their clothes.
And finally, Acts 14:22 relates to us how Paul and Barnabus went back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God’.” And, positioned in Christ — we cannot fail.
– For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”
