Abiding in the Promise: Finding Peace, Power, and Purpose in Christ

By Dr. Tim Orr

In a world filled with uncertainty, Jesus's words in John 14-17 offer a lifeline. These chapters, known as the "Farewell Discourse," are a compass pointing us toward peace, power, and purpose amid life's storms. To grasp the depth of Jesus' teachings here, it's important to understand the setting and the profound significance of these final moments He shares with His disciples.

Background to the Farewell Discourse

The Farewell Discourse occurs during a critical and intimate time in Jesus’ ministry. It is the night of the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shares with His disciples before His crucifixion. The atmosphere is charged with emotion—anticipation, fear, and confusion. Jesus has hinted at His impending departure and betrayal, leaving His disciples anxious and uncertain about the future. They have followed Him for three years, witnessed His miracles, and believed He is the Messiah. Now, as He speaks of leaving them, they grapple with the reality of His words. This discourse is Jesus' way of preparing them for what lies ahead, offering comfort and assurance to sustain them in His physical absence.

We often face moments of transition and fear—times when the future feels unclear. Just as the disciples were preparing for a future without the physical presence of Jesus, we, too, must learn to live out our faith in a world that can feel indifferent or even hostile to the gospel. The Farewell Discourse reassures us that Jesus has equipped us for these moments, offering us comfort and guidance through His words and the Holy Spirit. It’s a reminder that He is present with us even when we cannot see Him, preparing us for challenges and calling us to live out our purpose.

Abiding in the Promise

Jesus starts by comforting His disciples, telling them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1). He reassures them with the promise that He will prepare a place for them, offering the hope of eternal life and communion with God. In this moment, He unveils a profound truth about Himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), establishing that He is the sole path to God. This declaration underscores that knowing the Father and experiencing true life requires abiding in Him. Abiding in Christ is not a passive state but an active, daily commitment. It means seeking His presence and guidance in every aspect of life, allowing His truth to shape our actions and decisions. In doing so, we experience the fullness of life that He offers.

Consider the story of a traveler lost in a dense forest with no map or compass, overwhelmed by the darkness and uncertainty. Suddenly, they hear a familiar voice calling their name. Following the voice, they find a friend holding a lantern, guiding them to safety. Abiding in Christ is like following that voice and light amid our life's journey. It’s a daily decision to stay close to Him, trusting in His guidance and presence even when the path ahead is unclear.

In today’s fast-paced, achievement-oriented culture, the idea of abiding—simply being with Jesus—can feel countercultural. Yet, it is precisely what we need. In a world where anxiety and burnout are rampant, Jesus' invitation to abide in Him offers us a different way of living. It teaches us that our value is not in what we do but in who we are in Him. This invitation encourages us to slow down, focus on our relationship with Christ, and find rest and peace in His presence, regardless of the chaos around us. Corrie ten Boom, who found peace by abiding in Christ during the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, illustrates that this abiding isn't about escaping life's storms but finding the strength to endure them.

Finding Peace Amid Trouble

Jesus acknowledges the reality of trouble in our lives but offers a peace that transcends circumstances: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:27). This peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of Christ with us. Later, He tells His disciples, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). This peace comes from knowing that Jesus has already secured the victory, even when the circumstances around us seem overwhelming.

Think of a captain steering a ship through a storm. The waves crash, and the wind howls, yet the captain remains calm, trusting in the sturdiness of the ship and the compass guiding the way. Jesus' peace is like that compass, guiding us through life's storms. It's a steady peace, even when everything is in turmoil.

In our world today, where uncertainty, conflict, and crisis are constant, the promise of Jesus’ peace is incredibly timely. Many seek peace in external circumstances, like financial security or social stability, only to find these are fleeting. Jesus offers a deeper peace that remains even when everything else falls apart. His peace is rooted in His victory over sin and death, assuring us that our ultimate security is in Him no matter what happens in this life. This allows us to face life's challenges with calm assurance, knowing that we are held by the One who has already overcome the world. Horatio Spafford's experience of writing "It Is Well with My Soul" after the tragic loss of his daughters shows that this peace isn’t based on circumstances but on the presence of Christ in every trial.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as "another Advocate" (John 14:16), the Spirit of truth who will teach and guide the disciples into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit's role is to empower believers to live out their faith and bear witness to Jesus. In John 15:5, Jesus uses the vine and branches metaphor, saying, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." The Holy Spirit enables us to remain connected to Christ and bear fruit in our lives.

Imagine a person trying to fly a kite. They run and tug at the string, but the kite falls back to the ground without the wind. Then, a strong gust of wind comes, lifting the kite high into the sky. The Holy Spirit is like that wind, empowering us to soar and do what we could never do alone.

In a culture that often emphasizes self-reliance and personal achievement, depending on the Holy Spirit can seem foreign. Yet, Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are not called to live the Christian life in our strength. The Spirit empowers us to do what we could never do—to love, forgive, serve, and witness. This is crucial today as we navigate a spiritually dark and morally complex world. The Holy Spirit gives us the discernment, strength, and boldness to be Christ's representatives in every situation we face. Jackie Pullinger's ministry to drug addicts in Hong Kong is a modern example of how the Holy Spirit equips us for the work God calls us to, even when we feel inadequate.

Purpose in Witnessing to the World

Jesus calls us not just to abide in Him for our benefit but to be witnesses of His love and truth to the world. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last" (John 15:16). Our purpose is to reflect Christ's light in a world that desperately needs it. This mission is not without challenges, as Jesus warns that the world will hate us as it hated Him (John 15:18-19). Yet, He sends the Holy Spirit to empower us to testify about Him boldly.

Imagine a candle in a dark room. Its small flame seems insignificant compared to the surrounding darkness but provides enough light to see clearly. Our purpose as followers of Christ is to be like that candle, shining His light in the darkness around us. Each act of love, truth, and kindness is a testament to His presence in the world.

In an age of people searching for meaning and direction, Jesus’ call to bear witness to Him gives us a profound sense of purpose. We live in a time when truth is often seen as relative, and many are skeptical of absolute claims. Yet, Jesus calls us to be His witnesses, sharing the gospel's message with love and integrity. This doesn't mean forcing our beliefs on others but living so that others see Christ in us. When aligned with Jesus' teachings, our lives become a powerful testimony of His love and truth in a world that is often indifferent or hostile to the gospel. The story of William Wilberforce, who worked tirelessly to end the transatlantic slave trade, reminds us that our purpose, though it may come with challenges, is to reflect Christ's love and truth in every aspect of our lives.

The Prayer of Jesus for His People

In John 17, we see Jesus' deep concern for His followers as He prays for His disciples and all future believers. He prays for our unity, saying, "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you" (John 17:21). This unity is not about agreeing on everything but about being united in love and purpose, reflecting the very nature of God.

Picture a mosaic made up of many different pieces. Each piece is unique in shape, size, and color, but they form a beautiful picture when arranged together. Jesus' prayer for unity is like that mosaic. Our differences don't divide us; they contribute to the beauty and diversity of the body of Christ.

In our fragmented and polarized world, Jesus' prayer for unity is as urgent and necessary as ever. We live in a time when political, social, or theological divisions are tearing communities apart, including within the church. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our unity is not based on uniformity but on our shared identity in Him. This unity becomes a powerful witness to the world, showing that in Christ, there is a place where people from different backgrounds and perspectives can come together in love and truth. It challenges us to prioritize our identity in Christ over other affiliations and to work toward reconciliation and understanding within the body.

Counteracting the Effects of Technology

The Farewell Discourse provides a counter-narrative to the constant connectivity and digital noise of our smartphone-driven lives. While technology allows us to be perpetually "plugged in," we are ironically more disconnected than ever—from God, others, and even our inner peace. Jesus’ teachings offer an antidote to this digital era, reminding us of the importance of real, deep connection and the pursuit of spiritual presence over digital presence.

For example, abiding in Christ counters the constant distractions our smartphones provide. Imagine a person in a crowded café, surrounded by the noise of conversations, the clatter of cups, and the ding of notifications. Amid this chaos, they put on noise-canceling headphones, tuning into a quiet, calming melody. Abiding in Christ is like wearing those headphones. It allows us to tune out the distractions and focus on His voice, finding stillness amidst the noise.

Similarly, Jesus' promise of peace challenges the anxiety and unrest often exacerbated by social media and the relentless pace of digital life. His peace is not found in the perfect online persona or the latest trending topic but in the assurance of His presence and the victory He has already won. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ in a world that constantly seeks to pull us away from Him. Jesus' prayer for unity calls us to go beyond superficial digital connections, striving for genuine community and love that technology alone cannot provide.

Conclusion

The Farewell Discourse offers a powerful counter-narrative to the effects of technology on our lives. In a world where smartphones keep us constantly connected yet often leave us feeling disconnected from what truly matters, Jesus invites us to a different kind of connection—one that is rooted in abiding in Him, finding peace in His presence, relying on the Holy Spirit's power, living out our purpose in real-life relationships, and striving for true unity. It’s an invitation to prioritize spiritual presence over digital presence, to seek depth over distraction, and to live a life that reflects the love and truth of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, may we embrace the profound truth that Jesus is with us, guiding us and empowering us to live out His promise of peace, power, and purpose.

The ideas in this article are mine, but AI assisted in writing it.

Tim Orr is an Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including three books.