March
14, 2003
I
HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD
"These
things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV).
Jesus
was looking forward with confidence to the cross, fully assured
that He would triumph over the powers of darkness. Earlier
this same evening, Jesus had said, "My
peace I give to you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid." "If they persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you." "Yes, the time is coming
that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
And these things they will do to you because they have not
known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you,
that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you
of them" (John 14:27; 15:20; 16:2-4).
In respect
to human character, the world has not changed all that much
since Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine. Daily as
you pick up the newspaper, tribulations still abound. .
Oh, that
men and women would allow the Holy Spirit to soften and subdue
their cruel instincts and do what is right in spite of the
indignities they may have suffered. This is the example that
Jesus has left for us. Even though he was treated as a an
evil doer and suffered the death of a criminal, He did not
retaliate against His persecutors. He suffered and endured
the indignities of evil people so that you and I might receive
and be a part of His inheritance. He took the sins of the
world upon Himself at the cross so that we may learn His values
and be obedient and do what is right as He taught us, and
receive His reward for overcoming (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Truly
in
the world we will have tribulations; but we may have good
cheer, because Jesus has overcome the world
on our behalf.
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