John 15:18–16:4

Bible Studies for Life
Director, Extension Division, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Steadfast Faithfulness
John 15:18–16:4
You know the hymn: “All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided, great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.” “Faithfulness” refers to a love that won’t give up. And when describing how God feels about us, that sounds pretty good. But do we feel the same way about God?

Hated by the World (15:18–25)
As Jesus begins preparing the disciples for how the world will receive them and His message, He declares they will be “hated” because they are His followers. Christ wants them to understand that because they are no longer part of “this world,” they will be unwelcome in places where they once “fit in.” He wants them to know that everything changes when they put their faith in and declare obedience to the Word of God. Those who do so will find resistance from others. Jesus wants them to grasp that when they are persecuted for their faith, these attacks are nothing He hasn’t already experienced and endured. Therefore they, too, can withstand them.

Testifying for Jesus (15:26–27)
In language that the disciples can’t fully understand at the moment, Jesus refers to the “helper” — the Holy Spirit — who will be coming soon. This “helper” will testify to the world regarding the atoning death of Christ. Because the Spirit will be coming to all of His followers, Jesus wants them to know they will all be empowered and expected to declare His message and promise to all who will hear — it will be their calling and responsibility.

Martyred for God (16:1–4)
“I’ve told you these things so that when you are attacked, rejected and cast out, you’ll be ready for what lies ahead.” As He so often does, Jesus restates His warning to the disciples. He knows how hard it is going to be for them to live as Christians in a world that will execute Him soon. He even says there will be those who will seek to kill them in the name of God.

Jesus doesn’t say this to frighten, but rather to strengthen the faith of these men so that when the hard times do come, they will remain committed to doing the will of God.

History teaches us that the disciples did indeed suffer much persecution for their association with and commitment to Jesus. After the crucifixion, they were easy and popular targets for anyone who might wish to eliminate them. The thinking might even have been that if Jesus’ followers were destroyed, the faith would be destroyed as well.

Christians have been hunted, persecuted and slaughtered from the first century until this day. In fact, more Christians were martyred for their faith in the 20th century than in the previous 2,000 years combined. Obviously Jesus wasn’t just speaking to “the Twelve.” He was addressing all believers — including us.

Unlike so many Christians, very few of us may ever have to lay down our lives because of our commitment to Christ. But when Jesus warned that the world would hate and attack His followers, He knew that we’d face other challenges that would test our faith.

And so as Christians who are discussed, disregarded and despised, we have to answer the question — will we remain faithful or will we stumble? Will we take the easy road and “go along to get along,” or will we stand strong in our commitment to be God followers and live according to His commandments and standards? Even when it might cost us relationships, a promotion or a job? Even when our social standing might be impacted?

Jesus wants every Christian to recognize that to follow Him — to remain faithful and “finish the course” — means that our lives won’t always be easy. We will be attacked and self-denial is required. Faithfulness is hard but it remains a “two-way street.” God’s faithfulness is not in question. Out of love, He made the sacrifice to secure our salvation and to be able to live within us forever. He never gives up on those who are His.

What about us? Are we ready and willing to serve, stand and sacrifice for our God — the One who has already done these very things for all who will come to Him? How great is our faithfulness?