OVERCOMING TROUBLES OF THE WORLD
Jesus said while in this world you will have troubles. We have troubles of sins, being mistreated, sicknesses, finances, relationships and many other problems. However, Jesus also said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33).
We can learn from scriptures how Jesus and an apostle like Paul overcame many troubles of the world. (Romans 15:4).
JESUS DEPENDED ON GOD THE FATHER TO OVERCOME.
Jesus manifested his reliance on God the Father in overcoming the world:
JOHN 5:19. Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
JOHN 14:10. Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works
ACTS 10:38. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. “Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped” (Luke 8:43-48),
LUKE 22:44. When facing the cross for our reconciliation to God, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:19. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
HEBREWS 12:2. For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
PAUL DEPENDED ON GOD’S SON TO OVERCOME.
The Lord’s Apostle Paul learned that Jesus suffered all things like we suffer–even more he died on the cross for our sins–but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus chose Paul as and example of suffering for the Lord (Acts 9:16).
The Apostle shared some of the things he suffered for the sake of Jesus and his people. In 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul said he was in prison more than once; was beaten to the point of death several times; was stoned; was shipwrecked three times; gone without sleep, often gone without food, been cold and naked, was in danger from different people, including false brothers.
Paul realized he could do nothing without the Lord (John 15:5). Yet, Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). And looking beyond his troubles Paul said, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
WE CAN OVERCOME BY RELYING ON JESUS CHRIST
Our sufferings may not be the same as those of the Lord and Paul. But “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer” (2 timothy 3:12). However, the Lord will put no more on you than you are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). And he will enable you by power of the Holy Spirit to endure and do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
To strength your faith and draw you into a more intimate relationship with him, you may have experienced similar things the Lord has allowed me to suffer and endure to draw me into a more intimate relationship with him: I have been jobless several times; have had three cancer related operations; suffered with my wife and family members in their sicknesses; mourned the death of my wife who was my soul-mate.
In the process of overcoming the world: “These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7).
