Failure is not Fatal!

Aubrey Hoeppner, writing at openthebible.org, gives this valuable teaching about “What Jesus Says About Our Failures.”

…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him or know him, but you know him because he abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:15-18).

In (John) chapter 16, the disciples think they finally see Jesus’ relationship with the Father and believe in him fully. Jesus again reveals that their faith is so weak that they will soon abandon him, but calls them to find peace in him.

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (16:31-33).

It’s a rhythm of their weakness, his strength; their doubt, his faithfulness; their fear, his assurance. When their lack of faith comes out, he says look at me, believe in me.

Three Ways to Respond to Failure

Knowing this should change the way we respond to our own failures. It will take our whole Christian lives to grow in this dependence and trust, but here are three immediate ways we can apply this in our thinking about weakness and bringing it before the Lord:

1. Look to Jesus as you see your sin and doubt.

God calls us to mourn our sin, but always to turn to him in our mourning. Rather than seeing sin and weakness as dooming, see them as opportunities to take hold of Christ’s strength and depend on him. Jesus does not call his followers to be discouraged in their sin, but to believe in him.

2. Look to Jesus as you confess your sin and doubt.

Hours before Jesus went to the cross, the failures of his disciples were obvious before him, yet he still went. He already knows our failure, and he’s already taken away our guilt. Scripture says we have confidence in appealing to his grace, so we can confess freely and without fear of rejection. Don’t shrink away from confession, but accept his offer of grace.

3. Look to Jesus as you fight sin and doubt.

Jesus speaks to the disciples of his own conquering power and of the Spirit’s help. We can ask for his help, and trust that he is working on our behalf. Though our fight against sin can seem unending and overwhelming, Jesus is not concerned, because he knows his own power is so much greater than our sin. He has overcome sin’s condemnation and has resourced us with the Spirit. He is working for us and with us as we fight, so that we are equipped to continue as we call out to him in the battle.

May you be encouraged today as you force your gaze away from despair and onto Jesus, who is infinitely stronger than our weakness and failures.

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This Sunday, October 26, we will continue our series, “Tackling the Tough Stuff!”, with the beautiful topic of “Failure: Stepping Stone to Success” from Romans 8:35-37. Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

Coming Up: “Girl Time Lunch & Fun” for all the ladies is coming up on Saturday, November 1, at 11:30am. Bring a friend or two and something delicious to add to the table. (Keiki are welcome also.) Our November Drive-Through Prayer outreach in the parking lot is also that day, from 11am-1pm.

Aloha ke Akua!