Eyes for more than trouble

As we observe all that it is going on in the world today, these words of Jesus seem more relevant than ever, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If you are not a follower of Jesus it would be completely understandable to be incredulous about Jesus’ words of assurance in a world so deeply troubled. However, illogical as it may seem, we need to see the reality of Jesus words.

When I say see, I mean in the spiritual sense, because Jesus words anticipate the creation of a spiritual people that can both see trouble with their natural eyes and see eternal hope with their spiritual eyes. This type of seeing brings, as best I can describe it, a light on the inside that brings illumination and peaceful reassurance. I believe this is what Paul meant when he prayed for the church in Ephesus, and I believe all Christians, that they may be given, “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation…that the eyes of [their] heart[s] may be enlightened” (Eph 1:17-19).

This gift of spiritual seeing is not experienced as a one-time event, but rather, it is a constant gift of grace from God. It is received by us when we desire to see, and when we surrender and devote ourselves to the Lord.

But, so quickly, in a world full of trouble, we can become spiritually blind again, enticed and deceived by the world’s perceptions, thoughts and attitudes. When this happens the words of Jesus make no sense to us. Think of some of the things Jesus says:

Do good, bless and pray for those who hate, curse and mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

Why would I pray for those who mistreat me?

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Why would I put others before myself?

Do not Judge or condemn others (Luke 6:37).

How could I possibly not judge others?

Be joyful because you’re blessed when you’re insulted, falsely accused or persecuted (Matt 5:11-12).

How is persecution and false accusation a blessing?

All the injunctions of Jesus call us to a deeper life with him, a life full of spiritual seeing, wisdom and revelation. The words of Jesus only make sense to us when we have spiritual eyes to see. This is because Jesus words are not spoken to our identity formed by the world, but rather they are words spoken to our identity that is formed in God: our true-identity.

This is the journey of our Christian life: the life-long journey of the transformation of our identity, from one shaped by the world to one shaped and discovered in God. Our identity in God is shaped through our spiritual seeing. The following words of Scripture speaks to our identity in God in a troubled world. It provokes us to see spiritually:

“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11, CSB)

You might recognise these verses as a doxology*; often read in church as a benediction, a blessing over God’s people. As appropriate as this maybe, these verses also reveal a spiritual perspective on life that brings enormous encouragement in the midst of a world where trouble can be a constant oppressive force, not far from any of us and often seeking to penetrate into our personal life. We need more than Christian platitudes, we need…

“The God of all grace…”

God’s grace, his goodwill, divine favour, empowering presence and blessing towards humanity is multifaceted. In the context of the diversity of the gifts God gives to empower his church, Peter refers to the “varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

When we think of God’s grace, we often think singularly; often, his gracious gift of forgiveness to us. But grace is much more than forgiveness. The goodwill of God is manifested in a multitude of ways towards his people. God is the God of all grace, who provides the exact kind of grace we need for whatever situation we find ourselves in. 

“…who called you to his eternal glory in Christ…”

These words draw our eyes away from our present circumstances and upward to our eternal future. God has called us! Where? Into the telos (the fulfillment, the destination) of our purpose - to share in the experience of God’s glory for eternity. Empowerment in a troubled world is the spiritual eyes to see more than what we see in the natural before us. We have been ‘called’ towards an eternal future. And this future of ours is secured by becoming part of God’s people, the people of the Messiah-King Jesus. As Paul declared, we are now each individually part of Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:27).

The world’s perspective induces in us fear, anxiety, worry and despair, however the stability of our current earthly life is fortified by the guarantee of our life into the eternal future, as those who now live in Christ, (John 10:28, 1 John 4:9-10). To live life with a resilient hope, free from cynicism and despair, we must first focus our vision upwards, to our eternal future! With our future guaranteed, whatever difficult or challenging circumstances we face today, they are not comparable with what we see as our eternal future (Rom 8:18).

However, God’s grace, his loving kindness is not only our future hope, but it also manifests in our lives today. The God of all grace…

“will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you”

Note the personal care God gives to us; he “will himself…”.

These are the four things we need from God in a troubled world: to restore us from our brokenness; establish us as a child in his family; strengthen us to obey what he tells us to do; and provide us ongoing support as we journey through a life lived for Jesus.

These are four variances of God’s grace towards us. They are specific empowerments from God for our personal lives. They seem to follow one after the other but are also cyclical. As we progress in our journey with God, we will return again and again to restoration, and the need to be reestablished and strengthened for the new tasks he has for us. Moreover, we will need his support for the new challenges we will face this year and the next. All this is within the context of living in the troubled broken world that is often hostile to the devoted followers of Jesus.

“…after you have suffered a little while.”

If you don’t have a theology of suffering, you need to get one!

Some Christians don’t like to talk about suffering, but Jesus and the writers of the New Testament did! They plainly warned and testified that it is a part of the Christian journey (John 15:20, Acts 14:22, 2 Cor 4:9-10, 2 Tim 3:12).

Holding together both the truth of a good God and an evil world is not hard to do if you understand the story of the Bible. This broken and troubled world is a result of humanity’s desire to go it alone and be our own god (Gen 3:5-7). The good news of Jesus is that God is in the process of healing and restoring this troubled world including broken humanity (Acts 3:21, Rom 8:20-25).

He is starting with people, each of us, one by one.

In this troubled world we will suffer. This suffering will bring pain and brokenness that needs the healing restoration that ultimately only comes from God because it’s not just a natural problem but also a spiritual one. It is God who is the one that has power and authority to heal us and the world. This is “dominion”!

“To him be dominion forever. Amen”

We do not have to fear that trouble will ever overwhelm us, as God’s rule and authority will last forever. As I mediate it on this simple truth, my rational mind has no explanation. My spiritual eyes are opened and my response is - “Amen” “Praise God!” “Let his name be forever praised!” Peace is restored to my soul.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” - Jesus

*a short praise to God