John 16:3 - Overcoming Through Trials - Luctor et Emergo
At Notre Dame, my Catholic High School, our motto was luctor et emergo, struggle and emerge. What we find in Scripture and the experience of life is not a question of if trials will come. They will. It is a matter of when and how prepared we are for them and how we respond. But are we willing to fight? Do we even acknowledge that there is a struggle?
When we let our guard down we get punched in the face. That’s hockey fighting 101. The first rule of hockey fighting is that you gotta be willing to fight. Some guys just aren’t willing. Others are too willing. Hands up, get a good grip, and take the initiative. I’m a goalie and only had a handful of fights. I had more off the ice than on. But I’ve been blindsided and sucker punched. And I can ashamedly say I’ve sucker punched others (one time from the bench while playing the Weyburn Redwings in the SJHL - man, I wish I could have that night back) - better to fight well and be bruised than to fight without honor.
They say in business half the battle is just showing up. That’s true. And in life, I think half the battle is just realizing that it is indeed a spiritual war. We have enemies, those that do not wish us well. As Screwtape and Wormwood know, the patient is to be destroyed - that is the goal of the father below. Like it or not, we are in the battle. Men, as the spiritual leaders of our homes the sooner we realize that the better. And the more often we remind each other (not that the devil doesn’t do enough reminding for us) the better.
Oddly it can be good to be punched. Cause and effect. Like getting hit early in a hockey game. A wake-up call. A warning. The Bible is filled with wisdom and warnings. Why? Because we need it. Don’t drift away from God. Don’t backslide. Beware of the devil, his demons, and his agents here on earth who want to destroy you and your family. Beware of false teachers who are so easily recognizable by their bad fruit. Beware of the greedy and the prideful. Resist them. Expose them. Fight against them. Touch hot and get burned. Don’t let your sin grow for it has the power to destroy your soul. Don’t sear your conscience. Don’t shipwreck your faith. And God forbid, don’t abandon your faith (16:1). In this passage, Jesus is warning His disciples (16:3) of what will come to pass. It’s a caution and an encouragement.
Jesus warns us because He loves us. Spiritual warfare is real. You are in the battle today whether you acknowledge it or not. It’s macro and micro - across the globe and across your heart. Casualties, like the faraway drone and trench wars, pile up. Dead branches waiting for the fire. Jesus commands that we love each other and that we seek His peace. God seeks to revive us and encourage us. And He seeks to equip us. But He won’t lie to us. God warns us that if we are not in Jesus, constantly, we are susceptible to fall and to be enticed by the table of the tempter. If you’ve had a tough week already. Get back up. New morning. New mercies.
This life is not it. God does not lie. There is a future. And the Spirit of Truth seeks to speak to us today directly from Jesus Christ. How well we run in this spiritual marathon, and how well we fight the Lord Jesus’ battles has an impact now and the future. We have abundant joy right now because we know and love Jesus. There will be a time of wonderful joy in the future. The anguish and sorrow and sin and brokenness will turn to joy and rejoicing.
It’s a time of renewal in America - and everywhere. God is exposing the wicked and showing His truth in His glorious way. He’s using the weak to shame the strong. It is good when the world is convicted of sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. That is a work of the Spirit of Christ. By God’s grace, we are God’s ambassadors to tell people the truth today. And to struggle and emerge in our spiritual battles.
If it is time to reset your course, and it may be, then do so this morning. God promises great things in Christ. If you need prayer email me and I'll pray for you. Please pray for me. There is incredible power in humble prayer. We will emerge with Jesus to the Father’s glory. We ask the Father directly for help and we use the name of Jesus Christ because that is how Jesus teaches us to ask (16:23).
Jesus came from God and returned to God. He judged the ruler of this world and gave us His peace so that amid the trials and storms of life we have His peace and abundant joy. Ask this morning not for the destruction of your enemies, riches, wealth, honor, or a long life. Instead, ask for conviction of sin, of God’s righteousness, and confidence in God’s promised future. Ask for anything God puts on your heart and do so with the confidence of God’s love and His power to help us through the fight. May we fight well and overcome the world to the Father’s glory.
Fight well, my friends. Guards up, heads up, and hearts open to Jesus’ guidance. Jesus is building His people today. May we fight well alongside our King. Amen.
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