No Falling Away (John 16:1-4 ESV)

There’s a saying,

“When life gets tough, the tough get going.”

 But often life gets super tough and the tough do falter.  I don’t think I would fault them for it.

 Even Jesus acknowledged that the disciples would face heat.  He spent patient hours of careful “last words” for them that Passover Feast day. In fact, in John chapters 13-15 we have seen some of what He had been telling them.  There’d be pruning and persecution  and hate, to name some.  There was encouragement to “abide in Him.”

 Now in John 16 and verse 1, more carefully curated words,

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away” (ESV).

 Whether it’s from ‘the heat’ or from apathy in our day and age, let’s keep all Jesus’ words in our hearts.  Let’s hold tightly on to Him, day after day.

 Jesus spoke all those wonderful words of life for a reason - so we would not fall away.  We need to remember these words just as Jesus exhorted the disciples so long ago.

 Granted these things, despite knowing they will happen, can still be shocking to the system when it does descend upon a person.  It’s like knowing, for instance, that your grandfather is very ill in the hospital and that he is breathing his last breaths and the end of his life is near.  Yet when he does expire, the jolt and shock is still there.  Knowing may have padded that reaction some, nevertheless it could still be devastating.

 Similarly knowing of Jesus’ words of warning and how to counter what would come, likely shielded them some.  We do know from reading the rest of the Scriptures, especially Acts, and from what history records, that the disciples (minus Judas Iscariot), did not fall away.  Yes, they had set backs briefly, but they did not fall away.

 Jesus words had been the anchor of their souls. I believe the same can keep us cleaving to the Lord’s side as well.  We may falter some with the jolts and shocks life throws at us, but let’s cling on to Jesus.

 Easier said than done but let’s pray for ourselves and for those around the world who do suffer intense persecution.  Pray that they will not fall away and they will have the courage to stand firm and abide in Christ through it all.  May we each remember Jesus’ words.

 Jesus, help them and help us too.  Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  November 2025  ~

 Based on John 16:1-4 ESV.

 Sing, Christ Our Hope in Life and Death, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.