His Word Today

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? ” (John 16:16-19).

A riddle is a statement or question or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Upon hearing Jesus’ statements, which the Apostle John records in today’s text, the disciples were confused. To them, Jesus was speaking in riddles or nonsense. They did not understand what Jesus meant by what He said.

One of the evidences the Bible is the Word of God is that it accurately presents biblical characters as real human beings. The Bible describes people who follow the Lord as people who sometimes lie (Genesis 12:10-20), commit adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11), become furious in their anger (Nehemiah 5:1-6) and are sometimes confused when God communicates truth to them as today’s text reveals.

One commentator writes, “Among the many evidences that the four Gospels are accurate historical records is the Gospel writers’ willingness to describe the confusion of the disciples. If the Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—had wanted to invent history for the Christian church, they undoubtedly would have portrayed the original disciples of Jesus in the best possible light. After all, these men would be heroes of sorts to Christian believers, and if the Gospels were fictional works, it would be in the interest of the authors to paint the best picture of the disciples and their faith and understanding that they could. A failure to believe on the part of the original disciples makes them less admirable as models of faith, so the only reason to include examples of their confusion is to tell the truth about Jesus and His ministry. That we find many examples of the disciples’ being confused (for instance, Mark 6:45-52) or not believing Jesus lends credibility to the Gospels as historical records.”

Jesus was not only speaking of His death and burial but also His resurrection and ascension. Jesus was telling the disciples that they would see Him alive following His resurrection and ascension. In fact, the only people who did witness the resurrection and ascension were Jesus’ disciples and apostles (Acts 1:1-11; I Corinthians 15:1-8).

The source of the disciples’ confusion lay not in Jesus being unclear about what was about to happen to Him, but rather by the disciples’ unwillingness to believe that it would happen. Sometimes we might want to refrain from telling someone the truth in order to spare them, and us, pain in the immediate. However, whatever discomfort we avoid by failing to tell someone the truth they need to hear only delays the inevitable reality they will eventually experience.

Jesus did not shy away from telling His disciples hard truths. Neither should we.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-15)

The Holy Spirit not only convicts the world of its sin, of righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-11), but He also accomplishes a number of other ministries. Jesus stated to the eleven disciples that He had many more things to tell and teach them but that they could not bear or understand them at that particular moment. Jesus then introduced another series of statements regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Notice that Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit in the masculine gender. He refers to the Spirit of truth as He. The Holy Spirit is never referred to in Scripture as “it.” What is it that the Spirit of truth will do on behalf of all of Jesus’ disciples through these men who Jesus would call apostles?

First, the Holy Spirit will guide the apostles into all the truth. This refers to the Spirit’s ministry of producing through the apostles the New Testament Scriptures. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. The complete canon of Scripture will be a product of the Spirit’s ministry but not the Spirit alone. The New Testament reflects the authority of the entire Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father will tell God the Spirit what He will teach about God the Son.

Second, the Holy Spirit will declare to the apostles the things that are to come. The things that are to come, in this particular context, include the substitutionary atonement by Christ on the cross, the resurrection, the ascension and the soon return of Christ. The New Testament Scriptures are the fulfillment of this promise.

Third, the Holy Spirit will glorify the Son. This would occur as the Spirit illuminated the minds of the apostles in order to produce inerrant and inspired writings concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. As one pastor explains, “The Spirit worked in the apostles’ minds so that they could perceive, understand, and teach about the Savior.”

One commentator writes, “Jesus was not promising that new special revelation would continue until His return, for that would miss the uniqueness of the Apostolic office. The Apostles were directly appointed by Christ to speak in His name, bearing His authority. And plainly, the Apostles understood themselves to have an authority that other disciples of Jesus do not. (All followers of Jesus can be called disciples—even us—but not all followers can be called Apostles. All Apostles are disciples but not all disciples are Apostles.)”

Take the opportunity today, as you read the Scriptures, to give praise and thanks to God for the Word of God which the Holy Spirit of God wrought through the prophets and the apostles of God.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. Concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;” (John 16:8-11)

The Word of God, and specifically the New Testament, reveals many works of the Holy Spirit. We may be most familiar with the Spirit’s work among believers. This includes regeneration, sealing, indwelling, gifting, baptizing, and filling.

However, He not only works among believers in Christ but also among unbelievers. Today’s text gives us three specific areas in which the Holy Spirit works upon the lost. He convicts the world of sin, He convicts the world of its lack of righteousness and He convicts the world in judgment.

First, He convicts the world of its sin. The word convict (ἐλέγχω; elencho) refers to a rebuke, a reproving and a reproach. The word world (κόσμος; kosmos) in this context means the fallen world system of thoughts and behavior which are rebelliously anti-God. The word sin (ἁμαρτία; hamartia) means to engage in wrongdoing and evil.

The Holy Spirit points out to sinful people when they have done wrong or how they have sinned against God. The reason the fallen world sins is because it does do not believe in Jesus. The world is not committed to, dependent upon, trusting in or worshiping Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.

Second, He convicts the world of righteousness. The Holy Spirit not only points out to sinners what they have done wrong, but He also shows them what God requires. The word righteousness (δικαιοσύνη; dikaiosyne) means doing what God says is right or righteous from His Word.

More than being a source of moralistic, therapeutic deism, the Holy Spirit brings sinners to an understanding that their self-righteousness before God is comparable to a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6).

Thirdly, the Spirit convicts the world concerning judgment. This refers to the Spirit’s evaluation of a person’s standing before God. The word judgment (κρίσις; krisis) is a legal decision handed down from a judge. As Satan, the ruler of this world, stands condemned before God, so too are those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

As one theologian explains, “The death and resurrection of Jesus were a condemnation of Satan (12:31; Col. 2:15), the prince of this world (cf. John 14:30). By Jesus’ death, He defeated the devil, who held “the power of death” (Heb. 2:14). (Though defeated at the Cross, Satan is still active [1 Peter 5:8]. But, like a condemned criminal, his “execution” is coming [Rev. 20:2, 7–10]. People in rebellion should take note of Satan’s defeat and fear the Lord who holds the power to judge. As the fact of coming judgment (both Satan’s and man’s) is proclaimed, the Spirit convicts people and prepares them for salvation (cf. Acts 17:30–31).”

Immediately prior to my conversion, the Holy Spirit convicted me in all three areas. He convicted me that I was a sinner. He convicted me that my righteousness fell far short of God’s righteousness. He convicted me that I was destined for hell.

It was in His sovereignty that God by His grace regenerated me by the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). He made me spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:4). He clothed me in the righteousness of Christ (Zechariah 3:1-5). I no longer stood condemned before God.

Do you have this assurance that your sins are forgiven? Do you know that you are no longer condemned? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin, righteousness and judgment even at this moment in time?

If so, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord. May the Holy Spirit regenerate and enable you to become a child of God.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:5-7)

For the fourth time in His Upper Room Discourse Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Helper sent from God the Father and Himself. See John 14:15-18, 14:25-28, 15:26-27. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Helper because He encourages, intercedes and is an advocate on behalf of each believer in Christ.

The disciples were filled with sorrow because Jesus was soon leaving them (John 14:13:36-14:7). However, Jesus wanted them to know that it was to their advantage that He leave them and return to heaven. Jesus’ return to heaven would coincide with the Holy Spirit’s coming down to earth.

This is a wonderful truth because as a follower of Christ, I am in need of the Spirit’s help. I am most grateful for the Spirit’s encouragement through the Scriptures. I am also blessed by the Holy Spirit’s promptings to do what is biblical, regardless of the situation. I trust that you are as well.

Ephesians 4:1-2 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Specifically, to be patient means to not be irritated by circumstances or by individuals.

Recently, I became irritated by a co-worker who without permission removed some equipment from my department in order for him to accomplish work in his department. His behavior left me without the necessary tools to accomplish to work that I needed to accomplish.

As I began to simmer with resentment towards this individual and to consider what I might do to correct this situation, the Holy Spirit brought to my memory Ephesians 4:1-2 about being patient. I gladly submitted to the Lord and prayed that He would forgive me of my lack of patience and to give me a spirit of humility and gentleness towards this other individual.

Immediately upon praying, one of the store’s managers came into my work area bringing with her the equipment taken from my department by my aforementioned fellow employee. How did she know? What, of Who, prompted her to return my department’s tools. I didn’t ask but simply thanked her. It was then that I looked up to heaven and thanked the Lord for not only His promptings in my own heart but also His providence.

Pastor Burk Parsons explains that, “In terms of God’s larger plan of redemption, Jesus’ return to heaven would mean that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, would come (v. 7). Jesus had to die, be raised from the dead, and ascend to heaven before the Spirit could come, and the coming of the Spirit would mark the new covenant era as a time of powerful ministry on the part of God’s people and the rapid growth of the kingdom of God among the nations (Acts 2:33; see Ezek. 36:22–38; Joel 2:28–32). That is because the Holy Spirit would minister powerfully outside of Israel; He would be newly active in the world to convict people of their sin and call them to repentance, convict people that they cannot trust in their own righteousness, and convict the world that Jesus has defeated sin and Satan (John 16:8–11).”

Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings through Scripture? Ask the Lord at this moment to give you a sensitive soul to the Spirit Who is within your soul.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.” (John 16:1-4)

Jesus gave the provocative warnings to His disciples in John 15:18-25 in order to prepare them for the eventual conflict they would encounter as followers of Christ. He wanted to protect them from falling away. The phrase “keep you from falling away” is one word in the Greek: σκανδαλίζω; skandalizo. It is where we derive our English word scandal or scandalize. It means to experience anger or shock regarding what has been said or done.

Jesus wanted His disciples, at that time and for all time, to know that conflict and persecution should be expected if one is truly committed to the Gospel of Christ. Jesus even gave some examples of what that persecution would look like: being put out of the synagogue and suffering death due to those who believe they are serving God by killing Christians. Perhaps this is a veiled reference by Jesus of Saul of Tarsus who would later become the Apostle Paul (Acts 8-9; 22:1-21; 26:1-23). Those who persecute believers of Christ do so because they do not know Christ or God the Father.

Jesus stated these truths prior to their occurrence so the disciples would remember that Jesus said these things would indeed happen. Jesus His disciples to be prepared for conflict. He did not want them to be surprised when persecution occurred. In fact, one of the Bible’s recurring themes is that God uses conflict to develop men and women to become the leaders He desires and uses.

As one pastor has written, “Early church history shows that Jesus’ predictions came true. For example, the entire purpose of the epistle to the Hebrews is to warn Christians from a Jewish background not to deny Christ under pressure from the Jews to do so. Prior to his conversion, Paul—then known as Saul the Pharisee—was looking to stamp out the early Christian movement (Acts 9:1–2). After Paul came to Christ and began preaching the gospel, Jews incited opposition to his ministry (13:50–51). To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and Jesus, as our wise Shepherd, told His disciples the hard truth that such persecution was coming in order to keep them from committing apostasy—falling away fully and finally from a profession of faith in Christ. None of the original disciples—and none of His later followers, by extension—would be able to say that they had no idea what they were getting into when they resolved to follow Christ.”

I Peter 4:12-16 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

 May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27)

Jesus once again mentions the Holy Spirit and His ministry. He does so in the immediate aftermath of having just informed the disciples that the fallen world will hate them as its hated Jesus. But the Holy Spirit will be their Helper.

The word “Helper” (παράκλητος; parakletos) means an encourager, intercessor, mediator and advocate. The Holy Spirit is one who specifically consoles the followers of Jesus. This is the third time Jesus has referred to the Holy Spirit as a Helper (John 14:15-17, 26).

The word “witness” (μαρτυρέω; martyreo) means an individual who provides truthful knowledge and information of which the speaker in question has firsthand knowledge. Believers in Christ possess firsthand knowledge of the truth of the Gospel.

Jesus stated that (1) the Holy Spirit would come and proceed to the disciples from God the Father; (2) The Holy Spirit would be known as the Spirit of truth; (3) The Holy Spirit will bear witness about Jesus; (4) The Holy Spirit will enable the disciples to also bear witness about Jesus.

What was true when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit’s ministry continues to be true today. The Holy Spirit indwells each disciple and follower of Jesus (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 6:19-20). The Holy Spirit continues to be the Spirit of truth for He breathed out the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit also enables believers to witness to others about Christ (Acts 1:8).

As one commentator explains, “Note that today’s passage, as throughout the Farewell Discourse, applies first to the original disciples. The disciples had a special role in bearing witness to Jesus and a unique authority to deliver to the church what He taught. But we who come after the Apostles are also witnesses to Christ, and the Spirit enables us to hold fast to the prophetic and Apostolic witness to Jesus—the Holy Scriptures.”

As this New Year begins to unfold, how and where may you be a witness for Christ? At work, at home, at school, or by your involvement in extracurricular activities and hobbies? All of these places and more afford each believer an opportunity to patiently and faithfully share the love of God to those who need to hear such a message of truth.

May God be glorified in each one of us as He works through us by the Holy Spirit who is within us.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18-21)

Of the many truthful promises and statements Jesus made, and were recorded in all four gospels, the one’s contained in today’s text are certainly some of the most thought provoking. It should cause us to pause when evaluating our efforts to minister to those belonging to the fallen culture and their responses to the gospel.

There have been times when in seeking to do good for those in need, the responses by unbelievers to the church’s efforts are less than appreciative. I recall when several churches covenanted together to provide meals for families who had recently lost jobs due to a downturn in the economy. The meals were provided free of cost although a donation was graciously accepted if provided. Various people from several church volunteered to cook, serve and clean up after the dinners were served. One church even provided their fellowship hall for the weekly gathering.

Of those who were fed each week, there were some who became rude because they did not receive as much food as they wanted. These were not the previously mentioned families for they proved truly grateful. Rather, these were those who were regular church visitors looking for a handout. For example, they wanted seconds while others had yet to receive firsts and they became angry because their demands were not met. Unfortunately, this was a frequent occurrence and several workers became discouraged that their efforts to minister to those outside the church was met with less than a grateful attitude.

While these examples pale in comparison to the persecution of believers in various parts of the world, it provides a fitting illustration of what Jesus said in today’s text. Believers should expect hatred from the world rather than gratitude.

When Jesus referred to the world, He spoke of the fallen, ungodly world system of thought and behavior which expresses hatred for God and His servants. Jesus said that if, or since, the world hates believers, it is because the world ultimately hates Him.

Jesus wanted His followers to always remember that His servants were not above their Master. If the world hated Jesus, then remember that the world will hate us. If the world persecuted Jesus, then remember that the world will persecute us. Conversely, those who love Jesus will love, and be loved, by us.

The real reason that the world hates Jesus and His servants, is because at the core of their souls they do not know God. Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “The world cannot help but hate us, because those who are in rebellion against God hate everything that is not also in rebellion against Him. Jesus notes that we should not be surprised when the world hates us for following Him, for they hated Him first. If they hated Him and love us, then we would be greater than Him, but since the servants are not greater than the Master, the world’s hatred of Him guarantees it will hate us (John 15:20–21). We will be despised in many circles for keeping the commandments of Christ.”

This despising may occur at work, at home, at school or even in commentary by panelists on a daily, or late night, talk show. The despising of Christ and His followers is frequent, fervent and sometimes even furious.

John Calvin wrote that, “The gospel cannot be published without instantly driving the world to rage.”

Do you want the world to love you? Then belong to the world and its philosophy of life and living. Otherwise, expect opposition, hostility and hatred because you belong to Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!