LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
On what basis can believers be of good cheer (John 16:33)?
Submitted to Dr. James Sulfridge
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
By
Anthony Bean
On what basis can believers be of good cheer (John 16:33)?
Jesus told the disciples to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33) just as they were about to face
the darkest, most troubling time of their lives. The Lord would soon be leaving them (John
16:5–7), and He knew that severe persecution, suffering, and the possibility of death awaited
each of His followers.
The disciples were grieved and confused as Jesus explained, “In a little while you won’t see me
anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again” (John 16:16, NLT). They would all
scatter, and most would abandon Him at the cross (John 16: 32). But soon after, their doubt and
fear would be transformed into faith and peace: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me
you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).
In the original language, the words translated as “be of good cheer” (NKJV) or “take heart”
(NIV, ESV, NLT) can also be understood as “be bold,” “be confident,” or “be courageous” (CSB).
Jesus taught the disciples that inner peace and courage amid tribulation could only be
experienced through abiding in Him (1 John 2:28). In the world, believers encounter
persecution and suffering, just as Jesus did (Ephesians 3:13; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2:3). Jesus said the
disciples would soon be “handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues”
(Mark 13:9). The world would despise them (John 15:18–25), and some would be martyred for
their faith (Acts 11:19).
Despite being hated by the world, believers can be confident and courageous based on the
knowledge that Jesus Christ has overcome the world. As Christians, our lives are “hidden with
Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). We are born of God (1 John 5:1), and “everyone born of God
overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John
5:4; see also 1 John 2:13–14). We can be of good cheer because we’ve learned how to trust the
Father in every situation (Romans 8:28). We don’t have to live in fear because we are secure in
His love (1 John 4:18). We know that, if God is on our side, no one can stand against us (Romans
8:31). And nothing can separate us from His love—no trouble, hardship, persecution, famine,
poverty, danger, or conflict (Romans 8:35–39).
Even if we face the threat of death, we can say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). The apostle John asked and answered this
question: “Who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the
Son of God” (1 John 5:5, NLT). We can be of good cheer because Jesus conquered the world. If
we believe in Jesus and belong to the Father, we too have overcome the world because the One
living in us is greater than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).
Inner peace is ours in Jesus. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John
14:27). While the world offers only trouble, threat, and danger, followers of Christ do not have
to be anxious or afraid. We can be of good cheer because we belong to the One who overcame
the world. Nothing in this world can harm us because we triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ
in the end.
How can we find peace in this world? How can we endure to the end? How can we
overcome the difficulties and trials we are facing? The Savior Jesus Christ said: “These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” As part of our mortal probation, we pass
through affliction, pain, and disappointment. Only in Jesus Christ can we find peace. He can
help us to be of good cheer and to overcome all the challenges of this life.
What does it mean to be of good cheer? It means having hope, not getting discouraged,
not losing faith, and living life joyfully. “Men are, that they might have joy.” It means facing life
with confidence. The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the strength and the eternal perspective to
face what is coming with good cheer. We must, however, not underestimate the difficulties
that are prophesied for our day.
What are some of these difficulties? How can we face them? Some of these difficulties are
lack of hope, lack of love, and lack of peace. The prophet Moroni taught, “If ye have no hope ye
must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.” For many, the coming years
may be years of despair. The greater the iniquity, the greater the despair will be. The Savior
said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” As iniquity increases,
true love disappears. As a result, fear, insecurity, and despair grow! To the Prophet Joseph
Smith, the Lord said: “I … will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh … when
peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion. And
also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.”5 We live in a time
when peace has been taken from the earth.
On the other hand, we live in a glorious time, a time when the Lord has restored His
priesthood. The true gospel has been restored. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the kingdom of God on earth! We are helping to prepare the earth for the time when the Lord
Jesus Christ will come and personally reign.
Why must we pass through trials in this life?
The Lord makes no secret that He will test our faith and our obedience. “We will prove
them herewith,” He said, “to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall
command them.” We learn from the book of Ecclesiastes: “All things come alike to all: there is
one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean;
… as is the good, so is the sinner. … There is one event unto all.” Tempests may occur in the life
of the man who built his life upon the rock of the gospel, as well as in the life of the foolish who
built his life upon the things of this world.8
How should we react to these trials?
The Lord has said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow me.” Each day we must take up our cross and press forward—and not
just linger on the sidelines of our eternal journey. How can we know whether we are being tried
or whether the Lord is punishing us?
Trials are opportunities for our growth. The Lord said, “My people must be tried in all
things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of
Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.” When we are being
tried, we should ponder and ask, “What does the Lord want me to do in this situation?”
The Lord spoke these comforting words to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Know thou, my son,
that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath
descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” We need to view each trial as an
opportunity for growth. Someday we will understand the why. The Lord has said, “Whom I love
I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for
their deliverance.” The Lord loves each one of us. He wants us to be happy. This happiness
comes by our faith in Jesus Christ, by our sincere and true repentance, by our obedience to His
commandments, and by our endurance to the end.
Sometimes we might think that the Lord does not hear or answer our prayers. At such
times, we need to stop and ponder what we have done throughout our lives. If necessary, we
must put our lives in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the Prophet Joseph
Smith, the Lord revealed:
“I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been
afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions. “They were slow to hearken unto the voice of
the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to
answer them in the day of their trouble. “In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my
counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.” When we have the
sincere desire to put our lives in harmony with the will of the Lord, He will always be ready to
help ease our burdens.
What destroys our good cheer and our hope?
Jesus Christ told the Twelve Apostles some of the things that can destroy our hope and
make us give up: allowing ourselves to fall into temptation; not enduring affliction, tribulation,
and persecution; fearing “the cares” of the world; seeking wealth first; giving up instead of
enduring to the end; and allowing false prophets to deceive us.
What gives us courage and hope?
The Lord’s invitation to each of us is “come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.” Jesus Christ has the power to give us rest from our pain and suffering.
The prophet Mormon taught:
“Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot
be any hope. …
“… And if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost
that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity.” If we daily exercise faith, meekness,
charity, and lowliness in heart, confessing that Jesus is the Christ, and accepting His Atonement,
we will be blessed with the strength and hope to face and overcome the trials and pains of this
life.
What are some of the Lord’s promises to each one of us?
“Be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you.” “Be
of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are
yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.” Quoting the words of the prophet Ether:
“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a
place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of
men.” God is our Father. We are His children. He loves us. He desires our happiness here in this
life and for all eternity. We are led by a true prophet of God today. Jesus is the Christ. Through
Him, we can find peace in this world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
