In John 16, Jesus is explaining to the disciples that He is going away. He is referring to His death and resurrection. Thus far, the Disciples had enjoyed being in the presence of Jesus as they ministered together. But now Christ is telling them He is leaving! Then He says something startling:
“7 But 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. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;”
Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit coming to help, not only the disciples, but each believer in his or her Christian walk.
In John 15, Jesus refers to the Helper as the “Spirit of Truth,” who proceeds from the Father. He will bear witness of Me.”
As believers, the Holy Spirit lives within each one of us. The Holy Spirit guides us, but always in accordance with the Word of God. If you are hearing something else, it is not from the Holy Spirit. Only believers possess spiritual discernment through the Holy Spirit.
Some people spend their lives attempting to determine spiritual truth. But the Bible is clear. The Word of God is truth. Jesus said in John 17:17:
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
It is interesting that the Lord uses the word sanctify, as in sanctification. That means Christians living the Christian life in obedience to the Word of God. As a result, their lives are changed as they become transformed more into the loving image of Christ.
Likewise, Christ Himself defines spiritual truth, when He said “Your word is truth.” We are to live in accordance with the standards of the Bible and not by other standards, such as temporary, popular cultural views.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead in Christianity. We see this in the Great Commission spoken by Jesus in Matthew 28:19:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”
In 2 Corinthians 13: 14, we read:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”
Christ is the light of the world. He gives good gifts of character to those who follow Him. What kind of traits does He impart to those who love Him and follow Him according to His purposes? We learn that in the well-known verse of Galatians 5:22:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
Have you known that person who is full of love, joy, patience and kindness or that friend who is so good and faithful? Those are the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Roger Holl D. Min, is the pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church. The church meets Sundays for worship at 10:30 at the Sterling Senior Center.
Roger Holl D. Min, is the pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church. The church meets Sundays for worship at 10:30 at the Sterling Senior Center.
