When Being Convinced Falls Short of Commitment

John 16:31-33

HOOK- Convinced Versus Committed

There is a marked difference between being convinced versus being committed

The Weekend Runner: Believes that running a marathon is a fantastic achievement and is convinced of the health benefits of waking up early to train.

However, they stay home when it rains or gets cold outside

The Marathon Finisher: Wakes up at 5 a.m. every day for six months, runs in the rain, sacrifices late nights out, and pushes through injuries. They are committed to the goal, regardless of the discomfort or difficulty.

And the result is that they finish the race they start

Women of God, we have a whole lot of Convinced Christians, who use Christian words, quote a number of Bible verses and over-fill their plates with things they never show-up for

However, God is not looking just to convince more people of who he is, but rather desires more committed disciples, who follow him during the ups and downs

Big Idea: Jesus desires not that we stay in the state of nascent conviction, but that we progress on to committed maturity.

Trans- Lets explore what Jesus wants to teach us

Cautioning New Belief (vv.31-32)

Jesus asks an intriguing question based upon the disciples’ confession (v.31)

They confess that Jesus is omniscient—he has perfect knowledge (οἶδας) of all things—cognitive and experiential

So much so that he doesn’t even need for people to ask him questions—he can respond to their thoughts even before the question is asked

One way to take this is to see this as Jesus expressing relief, as in “Well it’s about time y’all got it!”

And while this would be appropriate generally, looking ahead to what he will say, this is actually a question of caution

He cautions them claiming too much too soon

We’ve all seen that before and even been there before—where we just figured things out yesterday, and all of a sudden we have become the “go-to expert”

You made hotwater cornbread for the first time and now yours is the best in the world

You developed your first ChatGPT/Gemini prompt, and now you are the AI Guru

Jesus cautions them about claiming too much related to what they understand—you may understand NOW in a way you have not before, but don’t go overstating your case.

Application: Though you may be convinced about many things concerning Jesus, your convictions are not the same as your commitments—one happens in the beginning stages of belief, but the other occurs over time and with maturity.

And so trying to ensure that they are not completely caught off guard, he warns AND prepares them for a future time, that is at the SAME TIME, a PRESENT TIME (v.32)

What does Jesus mean—he means that the future time has already arrived in that the Father has ordained such a time and it will not be changed

Jesus previews his future time of testing where

in Gethsemane (soon after this speech) they won’t stay awake for a few hours of prayer

When the soldiers come to arrest Jesus, they will scatter

At Jesus’ mock trials, they will desert him

But, he says don’t beat yourself up too much WHEN it happens, because though you all will leave me, my Father is with me

Application: Here then is the lesson for us: Yes scattering will occur—sometimes at your own hand or even the hands of others, don’t allow scattering to be the final ACT in the drama of your life

Some people get knocked down and decide to stay down

You were hurt, I get it—we’ve all been there, but don’t allow that to be the end

God’s been too good and He’s done too much for us to just lay there and play dead when life is still a possibility

Comforting Failed Belief (v.33)

And this is what Jesus wants the disciples to take with them, even though they don’t understand what he’s saying in this moment—

You’re going to fail

You’re going to desert me

You’re going to scatter

But I’m giving you forewarning, so that when these things happen, you can have peace IN me.

It is commonly (and incorrectly) believed that peace is the absence of strife or conflict—However, biblical peace does not mean the absence of conflict (it’s a potential byproduct), but actually harmony between two parties

So how does this apply?

When you mess up, and all the trials are over, don’t allow all the emotional feelings to keep you from pursuing me

Come Here Peter—Satan, wants to see what you’re made of—he want’s to put you in the pressure cooker (shake you up and see what remains), but don’t worry because I have prayed for you—that your faith doesn’t fail

Thanks be to God, that though we may fall at times, our faith doesn’t fail—that when I mess up sometimes, it’s not that I don’t believe, but perhaps I was just not exercising my belief

But then Jesus turns the disciples future experience into a principle for what they will encounter continually—In THIS world you will experience affliction, trouble and suffering—they are a fact of life

However, be courageous—the term means to avoid depressive states—don’t allow the trouble to overwhelm you

Why, because I have conquered the world

The word John uses draws its origin from Greek mythology (νικάω; nikao)

The history of Nike begins in Greek mythology and religion, where she is the personification of the abstract concept of Victory (νικˊη,nıˊkeˉ). Although she was not one of the major twelve Olympian gods, she held a powerful and revered role in ancient Greek culture due to her association with triumph in all forms of contest, whether in war or in athletic games.

But note: There is a difference between winning and overcoming—you can win and never face trial

Unfortunately, I believe this is the kind of world we have created—it’s riddled with sin, death, struggle and pain, but somehow no one wants to go through anything

But Overcoming, requires a struggle—it means to WIN in the FACE of obstacles

And so Jesus says that’s what I have done and will allow you to do also...

TOOK- Victory in Jesus

In 1939, at the age of 53, Bartlett suffered a paralyzing stroke.

The stroke left him bedridden and, for the most part, unable to walk or speak.

This physical tragedy abruptly ended his successful career of traveling, teaching, and performing, which must have been a devastating blow to his spirit.

It was during this dark period of personal limitation and physical suffering that he thought more deeply about his relationship with Christ

a. He reflected on his salvation by recalling his conversion story

b. He reflected on healing and hope based upon the power of who knew Jesus held

c. He thought about the eternal triumph of Christ and the image of what heaven would be

AND so He penned theses words...

I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning Then I repented of my sins, and won the victory, yeah

Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood