DUDLEY HALL — I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 ESV)

We have to deal with the world. Some have concluded that the “world” is so powerfully perverted that our only hope is escape.  They write songs about flying away from the world and finding solace in an eternal abode where the world will have no power. They might even go so far as to associate our physical bodies with the world and long for escape from the prison of flesh.

Others deal with the world by shrugging their shoulders and admitting that it is inevitably bad and consequently bad things happen. They are resigned to simply roll with the punches of a world gone mad. They try to get the most out of it for personal benefit, but really harbor no hope for a world solution.

But Jesus is leaving his disciples with another perspective of the world. He promises that they can have peace in the world. It is his peace. It is the peace of the Son who knows that his Father is in total control of everything and able to make every incident fit into his plan of glorifying the Son.  Jesus acknowledges that the world presents difficulties. It reflects the mentality of orphans who have no clear understanding of the Father and few clues as to their own identity. The world’s perspective is summed up by John in his first letter as lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes, and the arrogant pride of life.

So how does Jesus offer real hope? He says that he has overcome the world. Therefore we can take heart. After all, he is transferring his life to his followers. He has made it clear that the sons will have the same privileges as he has. They will know by the witness of the Spirit that they are truly sons of the Father. Whatever the world throws at them will not knock them off their feet. They will walk in the midst of pain and tribulation, but it will not define them or defeat them. Jesus is about to face the god of this world head on and will strip him of his weapons. The threat of condemnation will be thwarted because Jesus will take the curse of broken covenant upon himself. Justice for sins committed will be paid up in full. The threat of death will be annulled. Jesus will die and defeat death by being resurrected.  The deception that gives the world its power will be exposed and the Spirit of truth will testify of Jesus who is truth as he indwells the sons of God.

Jesus really does overcome the world. The world is still here, but it is not the deciding factor in our lives. This is just another of the benefits of the inheritance we have as sons of God the Father.