LEARNING TO OVERCOME THE WORLD
Have you sometimes struggled with or wondered how to overcome the various trials and temptations of this world? Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We may learn how to overcome by what the Lord did and what he taught his disciples.
LEARNING WHAT JESUS TAUGHT CLOSE DISCIPLES
Important things that Christ taught his disciples have been passed on to us for our learning how to overcome the world.
PETER. One of Jesus’ closest disciples, Peter learned that what was impossible for man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Peter found out that he could do nothing without the help of the Lord (John 15:5). However, he discovered he could do all things, in accordance with God’s will, through Christ who gives the Holy Spirit to strengthen believers. (Philippians 4:13; Acts 1:8).
On an occasion when Jesus was approaching death on the cross for the salvation of the world, he took Peter and other disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray with him. Peter boasted, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:33). But when authorities came to the garden to arrest Jesus to kill him, Peter along with all the other disciples deserted the Lord. When Peter had a chance die with the Lord, Peter denied he knew the Lord three times (Luke 22:54-62).
However, Jesus knew that Peter’s spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41). After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he gave Peter opportunity to repent and be restored in his relationship with the Lord (John 21:17; 1 John 1:9).
When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent on the day of Pentecost, he and other disciples received power. They boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ to many Jews, whom Peter told they had crucified the Lord (Acts 2).
PAUL. Jesus revealed himself to Paul, and chose him to be an example of suffering for the Lord. Subsequent to Paul seeing Jesus as Lord, the apostle was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a man of prayer. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and given true understanding of Scripture, Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ with power. Through his preaching and example of following the Lord, he caused many Jews and non-Jews to be saved. (Acts 9:1-29; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:2).
In 2 Corinthians 11: 23-30, Paul said he suffered more than others for the sake of Jesus and his people:
23 Are they servants of Christ?…I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked…in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
In recognizing his weakness, Paul realized his dependence on God for strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). He thanked God for enabling him to suffer for the Lord and his people (1 Timothy 1:12). And the Apostle Paul was grateful to God for the crown of righteousness that awaited him, and all who follow Christ looking for his reappearance (2 Timothy 4:8).
LEARNING FROM JESUS HIMSELF
We should avail ourselves of what we see Peter, Paul and other disciples learned from the Lord, in our endeavor to overcome the world. However, Jesus Christ is our perfect example of how to overcome the world:
- The Lord Jesus Christ ,the divine Son of God, humbled himself to the Father and submitted to dying on a cross for our salvation (Philippians 2:6-8; John 3:16).
- Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
- He was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit as an example for us to follow (Luke 3:22).
- He was tempted as we are, yet he did not sin (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrew 4:15).
- He prayed continually to be able to do his Father’s will (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:35; Luke 22:44).
- He lived by every word of God; and always did what was pleasing to the Father (Matthew 4:4; John 8:29).
- He performed unparalleled miracles John 15:24; Acts 2:22); and he fulfilled everything that is written “in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” about God’s Messianic Savior of the world (Luke 24:44).
- As written, he suffered death on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day, that we might have “repentance for the forgiveness of sins “(Luke 24:46-47).
- The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, promising to come again for all who follow him in overcoming the world (Acts 1:9-11; John 14:2-3).
Following what the Bible teaches us about Jesus Christ, and what he taught his closest disciples, we can overcome the trials of this world and live with God in heaven forever (John 14:2-3).
