It would be a drastic understatement to say that our world is tumultuous. We're tired of it, and we're tired of the wickedness that is gripping our world on all sides. Every new day seems to bring a new reason to be fearful, outraged, or sorrowful.
Will it ever end? Will there ever be a rest from the constant reminders that we live in a world sleeping in the darkness of sin?
Amid this chaos, Jesus' words ring out: "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). This declaration should shape our worldview, but how can that be true when it seems the world has never been darker?
The dawn of the gospel
To understand this paradox, we need to shift our perspective. Before Jesus, there seemed to be no hope. Humanity stumbled in the pitch darkness, defined by sin. Now, on this side of the cross, the darkness has been banished by the dawn brought by Jesus, and all humanity is free to look up to Him and see hope.
Yes, the wickedness of sinful humanity persists, but it persists under the blazing light of the gospel, which has spread across the globe to all nations. The way to eternal life has been flung open, and all who wish to enter are welcomed generously.
The world, in fact, has never been brighter. In Old Testament times, the truth of God was designated to a small group of unremarkable people. Now, it has spread to every shore, even to the point that the gospel has culturally shaped whole nations. And every day, more and more people place their faith in Jesus.
How should this change the way we view the world? We do not have a biblical worldview if we look into the world and do not understand it to be overcome or conquered by the advancing kingdom of Jesus. If we believe that the darkness of sin is the dominant force and not the light of the gospel, we're missing the bigger picture.
We must ask ourselves: What is the source of our peace? Is it the state of the world and those who do not follow Jesus, or is it Jesus Himself?
God is faithful
Joshua, a man who knew better than most about God's trustworthiness, declared:
Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed (Joshua 23:14).
Joshua had seen firsthand how reliable God's Word is. God commanded that the Hebrews march around a walled city seven times and then blow trumpets to destroy it. While many might have laughed at this, Joshua trusted God and discovered God's Word is always true. No matter the circumstance Joshua encountered as he led the fickle, careless, whiny Hebrews into Canaan, God's promises would always come to pass.
Christian, in our lives, how many times has God failed us? How often have we discovered that God isn't all He claims to be?
Not one of us has an answer.
So when God makes bold promises, we can believe Him wholeheartedly. Consider these words from Revelation:
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:3-5).
Or these comforting words from Jesus Himself:
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know (John 14:1-4).
No matter what the future brings, we can have peace beyond understanding that the world can only dream of.
Yes, the world around us is chaotic, and yes, we're tired of the constant barrage of wickedness. But we must remember that this is not the end of the story. Jesus has overcome the world, and His light is spreading to every corner of the globe.
As believers, we're called to view the world through the lens of Christ's victory. This doesn't mean we ignore the problems around us or become complacent. Instead, it means we face these challenges with hope, knowing that the ultimate battle has already been won.
