Gospel of John [16:33]. The Conflict of the world and Christianity. Heb 13:6; Psa 23.

Title: Gospel of John [16:33]. The Conflict of the world and Christianity. HEB 13:6; Psa 23.

 

We have studied our Lord's description of what blessedness to the soul or happiness to the soul is. The Latin term is beatitudes.

 

The world has formulated its Beatitudes, thus:

“Blessed are the rich: for they shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are the light-hearted: for they shall have many friends.”

“Blessed are the respectable: for they shall be respected.”

“Blessed are they who are not troubled by a sensitive conscience: for they shall succeed in life.”

“Blessed are they who can indulge their appetites to the full: for they shall be filled.”

“Blessed are they who have no need to conciliate their rivals: for they will be saved from anxiety.”

“Blessed are they who have no poor relations: for they shall be delivered from annoyance.”

“Blessed are they of whom all men speak well.”

 

The world’s code says, “Do as others do; don’t be singular; never offend against good taste; have a tinge of religiousness, but remember that too much is impracticable for daily life; whatever you do, don’t be poor; never yield an inch, unless you are going to make something by the concession; take every advantage of bettering your position, it matters not at what cost to others—they must look after themselves, as you to yourself.”

 

"The most degrading attribute of humankind is not callousness or geed or even violence, but the ability to justify all three." [Morgan Llyweln]

 

JOH 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

 

The world-spirit will not endure our disagreement with its plans and aims; and therefore they who persist in living godly lives in this present evil world must suffer persecution. Let's take some time to look at the various conflicts.

 

Conflict about the use of power and privilege.

World: should be used for personal gain and advantage.

The Way: should be used for others.

 

At his baptism our Lord was proclaimed to be the Son of the Highest, and anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. Instantly the prince of this world came to Him with the suggestion that He should use it for the purposes of his own comfort and display. Here were the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. But our Lord refused to use for Himself the power which was entrusted to Him for the benediction and help of men.

 

Conflict as to the way of helping and saving men.

World: gain power at any cost.

The Way: lay down your life for others.

 

The world’s way was to leap into the seat of power at any cost, and from the height of universal authority administer the affairs of the world. But Christ knew better. He saw that He must take the form of a servant, and humble Himself to the lowest. If He would save men, He cannot save Himself: if He would bring forth much fruit, He must fall into the ground to die: if He would ascend far above all heavens, bearing us with Him to the realms of eternal day, He must descend first into the lower parts of the earth.

 

Conflict in the estimate of poverty and suffering.

World: avoid at all costs.

The Way: Beatitudes.

 

The world looked on these as the most terrible disasters that could befall. Christ, on the other hand, taught that blessedness lay most within reach of the poor in spirit, the mourners, the merciful, the forgiving, and the persecuted. But the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, when they heard all these things, scoffed at Him.

 

Conflict in their diverse notions of royalty.

World: it is outward displays of power and wealth.

The Way: it is within with Christ and humble.

 

The Jews looked for a Messiah who should revive the glories of the days of David and Solomon, driving the Gentiles from the land, and receiving the homage of the surrounding nations, whilst every son of Abraham enjoyed opulence and ease. Referring to this expectation, the Master said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.”

 

Christ's conception of royalty: service, humility, patience, suffering, dignity of the inner life, glorified by the Father.

 

His conception of royalty was founded on service, which would wash the disciples’ feet; on humility, which meekly bore the heavy yoke; on patience, which would not quench the dimly burning wick (speaking of man's frailty - He would serve and not oppress); on suffering, which flinched not from the cross; on the nobility and dignity of the inner life, which shone through the most humble circumstances, and His transformation in glory through the power of the Father. For this He died. The chief priests and scribes hunted Him to death, because He persisted in asserting that He was the true King of men. “And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

 

Conflict in regard to religion.

World: just a little as a covering for evil but not interfering with goals of self-aggrandizement.

The Way: purity, devotion, and grace within the heart.

 

The people of Christ’s day were very religious. The world likes a flavor of religion. It makes a good background and screen; it serves to hide much that is unbecoming and questionable; it is respectable, and satisfies an instinctive longing of the soul. The world, however, manages its religion in such a way as not to interfere with its self-aggrandizement, but, in fact, to promote it. Christ, on the other hand, taught that religion was for the Father in secret; and consisted, not in the rigorous observance of outward rite, but in pity, mercy, forgiveness, solitary prayer, and purity of heart. Christ did not place burdens on men and neither should the Christian. That is not nobility or royalty. Nobility and royalty proclaims the grace gifts of God freely given and he does so in a manner of humility, gentleness, sacrifice, and patience.

 

Thus the Lord’s life was the reversal of everything that the world prized. Wherever He touched it there was conflict and collision, strong antagonism was evoked, and profound irritation on the part of the poor, hollow, appearance-loving world.

 

So it must be with his followers. I quote from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress:

 

To set up the passage, Christian and his friends emerge from the wilderness and enter the city of Vanity. The city celebrates an ancient festival called Vanity Fair where tawdry products are traded and Beelzebub is worshipped.

 

[begin quote] Now as I said, these pilgrims must necessarily pass through this Fair [Vanity Fair]. Well, so they did; but especially note that even as they entered the Fair, all of the people there became disturbed, and the whole Town itself was turned into a commotion around them. There were several reasons for this, namely:

 

First, the pilgrims were dressed with a type of clothing that

was quite different from the attire of those who traded at that

Fair. Therefore the people of the Fair stared at them with

astonishment. Some of them said that they were fools, and some

called them bedlams [madmen], while others derided them as

outlandish men [foreigners].

 

Second, as the great crowd wondered at their clothing, so

they were similarly curious about their speech, for few could

understand what they said. The pilgrims spoke their native

tongue, the language of Canaan; but those who managed and

frequented the Fair were the men who spoke the language of

this world. So that throughout the Fair their foreign speaking

made them appear as barbarians in their midst.

 

Third, and this did especially amuse the merchants, these

pilgrims placed little value on all of their goods; they did not

even care to browse at them; and if they were solicited to buy

such items, they would put their fingers in their ears and cry

out, “Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity;” at the same

time they would look upward signifying that their trade and

commerce were with Heaven.

 

So beholding the strange behavior of these men, one scornful

trader happened to address them: “What will you buy?” But the

pilgrims soberly replied, “We buy the truth.” At this, opportunity

was taken all the more to pour contempt upon these men.

Some mocked, some taunted, some spoke reproachfully, and

some called upon others to strike them. Eventually things came to a great commotion and disturbance in the Fair, so much so

that disorder was everywhere. As a result, word was brought

to the governor of the Fair who quickly came down and

appointed deputies, some of his most trusted friends, to examine

these pilgrims concerning why they had brought about this

disturbance of the Fair.

 

So the men were taken aside for investigation; and those who

presided at this enquiry asked them from where they came, and

where they were going, and why they were so unusually dressed.

Christian and Faithful told them that they were pilgrims and

strangers in this world, and that they were traveling to their own

country, which is called the Heavenly Jerusalem, and that they

had not given any cause for the men of the Town or the

merchants to abuse them, and to delay them in their journey. The only possible exception could be that when asked to buy

some goods there, they responded that they would only buy the

truth.

 

But the appointed examiners did not believe them, though

they did regard them as madmen and lunatics, and likely to be

the sort who would bring confusion to the Fair. Therefore they

were detained to be beaten, then besmeared with dirt and caged

in such a way as to be made a spectacle to all the men of the

Fair. And there they lay for some time while being made the

objects of any man’s sport or malice or revenge. Meanwhile, the

governor of the Fair only continued to laugh at their plight. [end quote]

 

Our conflict may be altogether hidden from the eyes of those around us, lonely with the awful loneliness of one in a crowd of un-sympathizing strangers, painful with the tribulation that Christ foretold. You have been ridiculed, sneered at, maligned and hated. You or your goods have been injured. Yet this is the Way. It is the Way our Master went. By His marks we are healed and by our own marks we know that we are in His steps.

 

JOH 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

 

The common victory for all believers is in Christ. His words are a constant source of comfort and encouragement.