"He who would come after me must deny himself and take up His cross to follow me."
Mk 8:31
If one could keep the commandments of God just by sheer will, the Christ wouldn't have had to go to the cross. But since He did go there, all others who follow Him must go there as well. Following Him there means not just obedience to His command (though it does include this), but it first means acceptance of the fact that sheer will is not enough get there. Rather, we're led and drawn to the cross. Every command of Jesus must be understood in light of the cross, and this means that Christ's righteousness poured out on the believer (through the cross) is what BRINGS them to the place of obedience to the command. This is because they can't be justified/saved/righteous by obedience (they're NOT obedient). They need an initial act on God's part BRINGING them TO obedience. That initial act is Christ going to the cross. Otherwise, the commands are just isolated commands to isolated individuals who, isolated, must decide...CHOOSE...whether or not they'll follow Jesus. But "those who did receive Him..he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, NOT of...the will of flesh or the will of man...but of GOD" (Jn 1:12-13)..."whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out IN GOD" (3:21).
With these words the Scripture imprisons any obedience or following on our part up underneath the gracious work of God first. Perhaps much of Christianity's softness in our time is directly related to the fact that most have refused to come to the cross by accepting that their coming is an act of God. And this is certainly also the reason for much of Christianity's hardness, too: those who have "come to Jesus" are convinced that they were 'good enough' to bring themselves to it. If it's about what WE do, then either a) the unbeliever must will their self to be as obedient as I have been, or b) since 'a' is not a very loving perspective, we must just "love" people and not preach the cross. And the Gospel is left out of both scenarios. "When you've lifted up the Son of Man, you will know that I Am Who I Am" (Jn 8:28, Greek). One can only know Christ through the cross, and one can only come to the cross through "the Word of Christ" (Rom 10:17).
"I've obeyed, others haven't, therefore I have room for boasting", some might say (wouldn't SAY, but would certainly FEEL). But this is not in accordance with Scripture. The question is much less about a theological agenda (there is no such thing for those in Christ), but much more about whether or not one has denied one's self completely by coming to the cross completely, "to show that their works have been carried out in God".
In this, those that are in Christ must be humble and gracious, because they know that Christ has been humble and gracious towards them. That which conservatives hate (a lack of costliness in the gospel) is covered by Christ, and that which liberals hate (a lack of love) is covered by Christ. How is this so? In the fact that it is much more about Christ and HIS call, than it is about us.
Scott Stine - PhD, Pastor of First Baptist, Newton NJ. Follower of Jesus; husband, daddy, too distracted by basketball.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Religion Apart From the Gospel
"You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that by his poverty you might become rich."--2 Cor. 8:9
The Gospel of Christ begins and ends with what God has accomplished through Him, apart from any works or "doings" on humanity's part. Even the very betraying, condemning, and crucifying of the Lord is attributed in Scripture to God's doing (see Ac 4:28 for example). Far too often the commands of God are preached, taught, and understood as starting from man and not from the Gospel--as commands to be obeyed apart from "the grace of our Lord", instead of commands to be kept BECAUSE OF "the grace of our Lord" through which HE kept what we by nature are unable to keep (Jn 15:5, Rom 8:3). This has become almost so universal that it's not even questioned by most anymore. Most understand Christianity as obeying a set of rules, apart from God's doing, as though God's only parts to be played in humanity's existence are a) creation, b) answering of prayers (that man brings to Him of his own initiative), and c) judgment (at the End). In this, God has no part to play in man's life presently, and man is "on his own" in his faith, obedience, and religion. And in this, the very Gospel itself is betrayed.
If you were to read through your New Testament, you would see that all of the commands of God are connected to Christ and His work. Christ's work is of both fulfilling the Scripture (Mt 5:17, Lk 4:17-21, 24:44-45, Jn 5:39,46) and keeping the commands SO THAT through faith in Him and by His power, righteousness would be kept in us (see Rom 8:1-4 and 2 Cor 2:20-22 for example). If mans' sin is that he's "fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), the only way he could be saved is if God Himself sends a Christ who will fulfill "the glory of God" perfectly--this is promised to be the case in Is 11:1-5, 42:1, and being fulfilled in Christ (see Mt 3:17 and Jn 13:31-32, 17:4), it is the new "Way" of salvation for God's people. By Christ's obedience, believers are MADE righteous (Rom 5:19), so that His righteousness and obedience would be accounted to us and applied to us--and the fruit of it is His believers striving for His glory in all things. (Do a study of how often the New Testament says "to God be the glory in Christ" or something similar...you'll be amazed). This is why He's a faithful and necessary Savior (see Heb 5:7-10).
This is why all of Paul's writings of admonition (teaching, commands, etc.) begin with Gospel theology and then move into the practical implications (notice Romans has 12 chapters on Gospel theology and ch 13 begins with practicals, and the rest of the letters are similar). Peter's is the same, John's, James', etc.
But what about all of Jesus' teaching in the Gospel accounts? He seems to lay down a pretty heavy load of teaching on what we are to do and not do...how do we reconcile with that? It's very simple--every gospel account ends with Him being crucified and resurrected. All of Jesus' teaching is meant to be understood in light of the cross, because all of His teaching inevitably leads to the cross and flows from the cross. This is why He says that in order for one to "follow Him" he must "take up his cross" (Mk 8:34). Coming to and following Jesus means "learning from Him" (Mt 11:29), and not only that, but keeping and obeying what He says (see Jn 14:15, 15:10). It would seem burdensome, because who could keep His commands perfectly? That's the point--if He was just another teacher of the Law, there would be no gospel. The point is that HE keeps the Law for us, that by faith in His Person and work, "the righteous requirement of the law would be kept in us, who walk by the Spirit" (see how Jn 14:15-17 connects with Rom 8:3-4...amazing!). We take up our cross, because Jesus took up His cross, and we obey because Jesus obeyed to make us able to obey...by His Spirit. This is why Jesus says "apart from me you can do nothing"...apart from Him who went to the cross in my place, I can't do anything. But IN Him, "I can do all things" (Phil 4:13). What a wonderful gospel!
To preach obedience and righteousness apart from Christ's obedience and righteousness is to completely miss the point of the Gospel (and sadly, many...including the writer for a long time...have missed it). In the same way, to preach God's love apart from His anger over sin is to miss the point. The Scripture never proclaims His love apart from Christ's righteous obedience (see Jn 3:16-17). The reason is that you need Jesus in order to have God. "No one comes to the Father except through me...apart from me you can do nothing."
Christ, who is so rich that all things have belonged to Him for all of eternity, became poor, homeless, despised, and rejected. He who holds all things in His hand (Heb 1:3) gave himself into the hands of sinful men (Ac 2:23)...sinful men whom He had created and whose lives He upheld even in those moments! These men thought that they were rich, great, and "in control"...and yet Christ was in control the whole time (Jn 10:17-18, Ac 4:28). And what did He do? He suffered...because only through HIS suffering could anyone actually be reconciled to the Holy God-Creator from whom they were fallen (Rom 3:23) and of whom they were hostile enemies (Rom 5:8, 8:7). In this, there are riches beyond comparison (Mk 10:21, 1 Cor 3:21-22, 1 Pet 1:4)...but outside of this it is only death and it will all perish.
The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ will continue to be proclaimed and sung by the people of God for all of eternity...we'll worship Christ because He went to the cross (see Rev 5:9-10). Because He suffered and wept and was betrayed, one day, when all things are new, we the people of God will never suffer, weep, or be betrayed ever again (Rev. 21:4). Those are true riches--riches that are worth dying for. They're riches that Christ DID die for. Let all of God's people rejoice!
The Gospel of Christ begins and ends with what God has accomplished through Him, apart from any works or "doings" on humanity's part. Even the very betraying, condemning, and crucifying of the Lord is attributed in Scripture to God's doing (see Ac 4:28 for example). Far too often the commands of God are preached, taught, and understood as starting from man and not from the Gospel--as commands to be obeyed apart from "the grace of our Lord", instead of commands to be kept BECAUSE OF "the grace of our Lord" through which HE kept what we by nature are unable to keep (Jn 15:5, Rom 8:3). This has become almost so universal that it's not even questioned by most anymore. Most understand Christianity as obeying a set of rules, apart from God's doing, as though God's only parts to be played in humanity's existence are a) creation, b) answering of prayers (that man brings to Him of his own initiative), and c) judgment (at the End). In this, God has no part to play in man's life presently, and man is "on his own" in his faith, obedience, and religion. And in this, the very Gospel itself is betrayed.
If you were to read through your New Testament, you would see that all of the commands of God are connected to Christ and His work. Christ's work is of both fulfilling the Scripture (Mt 5:17, Lk 4:17-21, 24:44-45, Jn 5:39,46) and keeping the commands SO THAT through faith in Him and by His power, righteousness would be kept in us (see Rom 8:1-4 and 2 Cor 2:20-22 for example). If mans' sin is that he's "fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), the only way he could be saved is if God Himself sends a Christ who will fulfill "the glory of God" perfectly--this is promised to be the case in Is 11:1-5, 42:1, and being fulfilled in Christ (see Mt 3:17 and Jn 13:31-32, 17:4), it is the new "Way" of salvation for God's people. By Christ's obedience, believers are MADE righteous (Rom 5:19), so that His righteousness and obedience would be accounted to us and applied to us--and the fruit of it is His believers striving for His glory in all things. (Do a study of how often the New Testament says "to God be the glory in Christ" or something similar...you'll be amazed). This is why He's a faithful and necessary Savior (see Heb 5:7-10).
This is why all of Paul's writings of admonition (teaching, commands, etc.) begin with Gospel theology and then move into the practical implications (notice Romans has 12 chapters on Gospel theology and ch 13 begins with practicals, and the rest of the letters are similar). Peter's is the same, John's, James', etc.
But what about all of Jesus' teaching in the Gospel accounts? He seems to lay down a pretty heavy load of teaching on what we are to do and not do...how do we reconcile with that? It's very simple--every gospel account ends with Him being crucified and resurrected. All of Jesus' teaching is meant to be understood in light of the cross, because all of His teaching inevitably leads to the cross and flows from the cross. This is why He says that in order for one to "follow Him" he must "take up his cross" (Mk 8:34). Coming to and following Jesus means "learning from Him" (Mt 11:29), and not only that, but keeping and obeying what He says (see Jn 14:15, 15:10). It would seem burdensome, because who could keep His commands perfectly? That's the point--if He was just another teacher of the Law, there would be no gospel. The point is that HE keeps the Law for us, that by faith in His Person and work, "the righteous requirement of the law would be kept in us, who walk by the Spirit" (see how Jn 14:15-17 connects with Rom 8:3-4...amazing!). We take up our cross, because Jesus took up His cross, and we obey because Jesus obeyed to make us able to obey...by His Spirit. This is why Jesus says "apart from me you can do nothing"...apart from Him who went to the cross in my place, I can't do anything. But IN Him, "I can do all things" (Phil 4:13). What a wonderful gospel!
To preach obedience and righteousness apart from Christ's obedience and righteousness is to completely miss the point of the Gospel (and sadly, many...including the writer for a long time...have missed it). In the same way, to preach God's love apart from His anger over sin is to miss the point. The Scripture never proclaims His love apart from Christ's righteous obedience (see Jn 3:16-17). The reason is that you need Jesus in order to have God. "No one comes to the Father except through me...apart from me you can do nothing."
Christ, who is so rich that all things have belonged to Him for all of eternity, became poor, homeless, despised, and rejected. He who holds all things in His hand (Heb 1:3) gave himself into the hands of sinful men (Ac 2:23)...sinful men whom He had created and whose lives He upheld even in those moments! These men thought that they were rich, great, and "in control"...and yet Christ was in control the whole time (Jn 10:17-18, Ac 4:28). And what did He do? He suffered...because only through HIS suffering could anyone actually be reconciled to the Holy God-Creator from whom they were fallen (Rom 3:23) and of whom they were hostile enemies (Rom 5:8, 8:7). In this, there are riches beyond comparison (Mk 10:21, 1 Cor 3:21-22, 1 Pet 1:4)...but outside of this it is only death and it will all perish.
The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ will continue to be proclaimed and sung by the people of God for all of eternity...we'll worship Christ because He went to the cross (see Rev 5:9-10). Because He suffered and wept and was betrayed, one day, when all things are new, we the people of God will never suffer, weep, or be betrayed ever again (Rev. 21:4). Those are true riches--riches that are worth dying for. They're riches that Christ DID die for. Let all of God's people rejoice!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
"Keep Them In Your Name"
"Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one."
John 17:11
In this one short verse Jesus sums up the difference between false Christianity and true Christianity. As He prays to His Father on behalf of His followers ("sheep"--10:2-30, "His own"--13:1), His prayer is very simple and unmistakable: that God the Father who is sovereign over all things would make sure that His sheep remain sheep regardless of what happens.
A short survey of the surrounding context shows the "troubles" that are sure to come to His disciples: Jesus' departure and leaving them (14:12), hatred from the world on account of Himself (15:18) and corresponding preaching of the Word anyways (15:27), temptation to fall away (16:1), sorrow (16:19-20), and "tribulation" (16:33). Surely we mustn't forget perhaps the darkest one of them all: Jesus' telling Peter that Peter WILL deny Jesus when He is handed over, to which the other gospel accounts show Peter scoffing at Jesus (13:38). How scary of a statement would it be for an emotionally vulnerable person to hear that they will soon betray that which is most precious to them?--that they are so flappible and so wavering that they WILL have a fall, when it appears that this is the least possible thing that could happen? It must have been devastating to Peter when he actually DID deny Jesus, and this is why each of the Synoptics have Peter "weeping bitterly" the moment he denies Jesus' fellowship the third time (Mt 26:75, Mk 14:72, Lk 22:62).
But Jesus' prayer is that the Father will KEEP His followers. There is nothing more powerful than the prayer of the Author of Life (Ac 3:15) who is the Word of God (Rev 19:13) who has authority over all things (including salvation--Mt 11:27) (Mt 28:18).
In fact, Lk 22:31-32 has Jesus telling Peter (regarding his eventual fall) that Satan demanded to have him, but "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter then says (again) that he won't fall, to which Jesus (again) tells him that he will. But the point is that Jesus prayed for him. Jesus' word is more powerful than Satan's. And this is why He tells Peter "when you have turned again" and not "if you turn again"...it's not up to Peter whether his fall will be final or temporary--it's up to Jesus, as it always is. It's so sure that Jesus speaks of it almost in past-tense terms: "When you have turned again...". This is much like Paul calling Christians those who are "glorifiED" (past tense-->Rom 8:30), as well as those who are "seatED with Christ in the heavenly places" (clearly a future-tense reality, but it's so sure that it's considered a present reality-->Eph 2:6).
And notice what Jesus tells Peter to do "when he has turned again"--"strengthen your brothers". Why should Peter do this? Because in denying Jesus three times like Jesus said He would, Peter sees his utter helplessness in and of himself, but in knowing that he didn't fall away finally because Jesus prayed for him, he will rest in Christ and His sovereignty...and this will make him capable of "strengthening his brothers". Only when one has absolute and utter faith in Christ's power over themselves will they ever be able to "strengthen" anyone--especially when they are in an important position of authority like Peter was.
Jesus saying trials will come isn't simply a message of His foreknowledge--it's a message of his predestining that these are necessary for a Christian. Much like that Jesus' betrayal, sentencing, flogging, and crucifixion was predestined by the Father to take place (see Ac 2:23, 3:18, 4:28, 14:27--unmistakable) to bring about salvation to His sheep, His sheep will undergo trials, temptations, and hardships as part of the predestined plan of God as well.
This is the unmistakable message of Paul: "We are afflicted...persecuted...struck down..always carrying in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh...this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory..." (2 Cor 4:8-11, 17)--notice he thinks there is a purpose for his persecutions...as though God is in control of them.; "We sent Timothy...to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one may be moved by these afflictions...for we are destined for this" (1 Thes 3:2-3)--very simple message: we are DESTINED, as Christians, for persecutions and trials.
This is the unmistakable message of James: "Count it joy..when you meet trials of various kinds, for...the testing of your faith produces steadfastness...that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing...Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised those who love him..." (Jms 1:2-4, 12)--I wish I could spend more time looking into the depth of this passage and the surrounding context, but that'll be for another time.
This is the unmistakable message of Peter: "Blessed be..God..he has caused us to be born again...(you) by God's power are being guarded through faith for salvation...in this you rejoice, though now for a little while, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:3-7)--to Peter, these trials are here SO THAT we will praise and glorify Jesus when He returns; again, it's God who brings this about IN us, and He who will bring it to completion, as Paul had elsewhere said in Philippians 1:6.
Finally, two more points of reference:
First, twice does the Book of Acts tell us of this point (9:16--when Paul first becomes a Christian, God tells Ananias to take him in, because "(God) will show him how much he must suffer for (God's) name"...as though it was planned; 14:21-22--Paul goes on a ministry tour for the purpose of "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God"...since it is not only a certainty but something that is necessary for us;
Second, Jesus himself (again) makes clear that this is going to happen as a necessity for their faith (Jn 15:18-20--"If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you...a servant is not greater than his master...if they persecuted me they will also persecute you"...taking all of the above passages into consideration, they persecuted Jesus because God had planned it to take place, and Jesus is telling the disciples that "just like they've done this to me, they will do it to you, too" as though that's part of God's plan...and it is (again, see above passages, esp. Ac 14:21-22, 1 Thes 3:2-3, and 1 Pet 1:3-7).
And remember that both James and Peter said that the Christian life will be full of "various trials" (Jms 1:2, 1 Pet 1:6), meaning it doesn't always just mean social persecution...often it means exactly what we saw earlier that Luke and John had recorded: lapses in faith, temporary falls, lapses in judgment, etc. Peter also reminds us that "your adversary the Devil prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world" (1 Pet 5:8-9 {also see v10}), using the exact same language as Genesis 4 when God tells Cain "sin is crouching at the door. It's desire is for you" (4:7) referring to Cain's jealousy...apparently our battles as Christians aren't always outward, but many times are inward. But these are necessary, so that we would be made holy, which is God's final will for us (see 1 Thes 4:3,7).
But the point of all of it is that Christ has prayed for us. He has prayed that, as Christians, we would be kept in the Father's name, that we may be "one" with Him and His Son Jesus. Being united with Him, we have hope, rest, assurance, and peace that He will bring us through the trials and keep us rooted in Him. "He who has ears to hear" will hear this and rejoice. He who doesn't will scoff and say "I'm still in control of my life", and will eventually "fall away" because he never belonged to Christ in the first place (see the intentional language of Heb 3:14 and 6:4-9 and read it carefully, asking for the Spirit's discernment; also 1 Jn 2:18-25 and 5:18-20 and read these carefully as well, with the Spirit's discernment).
"But you beloved...keep yourselves in the love of God"...but that's not all it says!..."now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory...to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever, Amen." (Jude 20-21, 24-25). The command is clear: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling...FOR it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13).
John 17:11
In this one short verse Jesus sums up the difference between false Christianity and true Christianity. As He prays to His Father on behalf of His followers ("sheep"--10:2-30, "His own"--13:1), His prayer is very simple and unmistakable: that God the Father who is sovereign over all things would make sure that His sheep remain sheep regardless of what happens.
A short survey of the surrounding context shows the "troubles" that are sure to come to His disciples: Jesus' departure and leaving them (14:12), hatred from the world on account of Himself (15:18) and corresponding preaching of the Word anyways (15:27), temptation to fall away (16:1), sorrow (16:19-20), and "tribulation" (16:33). Surely we mustn't forget perhaps the darkest one of them all: Jesus' telling Peter that Peter WILL deny Jesus when He is handed over, to which the other gospel accounts show Peter scoffing at Jesus (13:38). How scary of a statement would it be for an emotionally vulnerable person to hear that they will soon betray that which is most precious to them?--that they are so flappible and so wavering that they WILL have a fall, when it appears that this is the least possible thing that could happen? It must have been devastating to Peter when he actually DID deny Jesus, and this is why each of the Synoptics have Peter "weeping bitterly" the moment he denies Jesus' fellowship the third time (Mt 26:75, Mk 14:72, Lk 22:62).
But Jesus' prayer is that the Father will KEEP His followers. There is nothing more powerful than the prayer of the Author of Life (Ac 3:15) who is the Word of God (Rev 19:13) who has authority over all things (including salvation--Mt 11:27) (Mt 28:18).
In fact, Lk 22:31-32 has Jesus telling Peter (regarding his eventual fall) that Satan demanded to have him, but "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter then says (again) that he won't fall, to which Jesus (again) tells him that he will. But the point is that Jesus prayed for him. Jesus' word is more powerful than Satan's. And this is why He tells Peter "when you have turned again" and not "if you turn again"...it's not up to Peter whether his fall will be final or temporary--it's up to Jesus, as it always is. It's so sure that Jesus speaks of it almost in past-tense terms: "When you have turned again...". This is much like Paul calling Christians those who are "glorifiED" (past tense-->Rom 8:30), as well as those who are "seatED with Christ in the heavenly places" (clearly a future-tense reality, but it's so sure that it's considered a present reality-->Eph 2:6).
And notice what Jesus tells Peter to do "when he has turned again"--"strengthen your brothers". Why should Peter do this? Because in denying Jesus three times like Jesus said He would, Peter sees his utter helplessness in and of himself, but in knowing that he didn't fall away finally because Jesus prayed for him, he will rest in Christ and His sovereignty...and this will make him capable of "strengthening his brothers". Only when one has absolute and utter faith in Christ's power over themselves will they ever be able to "strengthen" anyone--especially when they are in an important position of authority like Peter was.
Jesus saying trials will come isn't simply a message of His foreknowledge--it's a message of his predestining that these are necessary for a Christian. Much like that Jesus' betrayal, sentencing, flogging, and crucifixion was predestined by the Father to take place (see Ac 2:23, 3:18, 4:28, 14:27--unmistakable) to bring about salvation to His sheep, His sheep will undergo trials, temptations, and hardships as part of the predestined plan of God as well.
This is the unmistakable message of Paul: "We are afflicted...persecuted...struck down..always carrying in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh...this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory..." (2 Cor 4:8-11, 17)--notice he thinks there is a purpose for his persecutions...as though God is in control of them.; "We sent Timothy...to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one may be moved by these afflictions...for we are destined for this" (1 Thes 3:2-3)--very simple message: we are DESTINED, as Christians, for persecutions and trials.
This is the unmistakable message of James: "Count it joy..when you meet trials of various kinds, for...the testing of your faith produces steadfastness...that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing...Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised those who love him..." (Jms 1:2-4, 12)--I wish I could spend more time looking into the depth of this passage and the surrounding context, but that'll be for another time.
This is the unmistakable message of Peter: "Blessed be..God..he has caused us to be born again...(you) by God's power are being guarded through faith for salvation...in this you rejoice, though now for a little while, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:3-7)--to Peter, these trials are here SO THAT we will praise and glorify Jesus when He returns; again, it's God who brings this about IN us, and He who will bring it to completion, as Paul had elsewhere said in Philippians 1:6.
Finally, two more points of reference:
First, twice does the Book of Acts tell us of this point (9:16--when Paul first becomes a Christian, God tells Ananias to take him in, because "(God) will show him how much he must suffer for (God's) name"...as though it was planned; 14:21-22--Paul goes on a ministry tour for the purpose of "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God"...since it is not only a certainty but something that is necessary for us;
Second, Jesus himself (again) makes clear that this is going to happen as a necessity for their faith (Jn 15:18-20--"If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you...a servant is not greater than his master...if they persecuted me they will also persecute you"...taking all of the above passages into consideration, they persecuted Jesus because God had planned it to take place, and Jesus is telling the disciples that "just like they've done this to me, they will do it to you, too" as though that's part of God's plan...and it is (again, see above passages, esp. Ac 14:21-22, 1 Thes 3:2-3, and 1 Pet 1:3-7).
And remember that both James and Peter said that the Christian life will be full of "various trials" (Jms 1:2, 1 Pet 1:6), meaning it doesn't always just mean social persecution...often it means exactly what we saw earlier that Luke and John had recorded: lapses in faith, temporary falls, lapses in judgment, etc. Peter also reminds us that "your adversary the Devil prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world" (1 Pet 5:8-9 {also see v10}), using the exact same language as Genesis 4 when God tells Cain "sin is crouching at the door. It's desire is for you" (4:7) referring to Cain's jealousy...apparently our battles as Christians aren't always outward, but many times are inward. But these are necessary, so that we would be made holy, which is God's final will for us (see 1 Thes 4:3,7).
But the point of all of it is that Christ has prayed for us. He has prayed that, as Christians, we would be kept in the Father's name, that we may be "one" with Him and His Son Jesus. Being united with Him, we have hope, rest, assurance, and peace that He will bring us through the trials and keep us rooted in Him. "He who has ears to hear" will hear this and rejoice. He who doesn't will scoff and say "I'm still in control of my life", and will eventually "fall away" because he never belonged to Christ in the first place (see the intentional language of Heb 3:14 and 6:4-9 and read it carefully, asking for the Spirit's discernment; also 1 Jn 2:18-25 and 5:18-20 and read these carefully as well, with the Spirit's discernment).
"But you beloved...keep yourselves in the love of God"...but that's not all it says!..."now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory...to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever, Amen." (Jude 20-21, 24-25). The command is clear: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling...FOR it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13).
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