Okay, I know the title tends to be a bit exaggerated but I have good intentions I promise. Here is what Jesus says in John 16:
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 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. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 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. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Now you must understand this is given at the precipice of the crucifixion. They are about to lose the Master in who which they have spent the last 3 years putting all of their trust in, forsaking their families (let the dead bury their dead, Matthew 6:33), and who they believe would immediately usher in the promised Kingdom (Acts 1).
So after 3 years He says “hey I am leaving but don’t worry”. This would have been devastating and must have been to the disciples. We actually see that in John 20, Luke 24, Matthew 27-28. I provide this preface to say. Why don’t we trust Jesus anymore?
We see two roles of the Spirit:
1. To Convict which has three parts
2. And to guide into ALL truth.
However today we are spending our time doing the convicting and the guiding. We march on abortion clinics, gay parades, consistently remind nonbelievers (and believers) just how sinful they are, we spend the majority of our time judging the nonbeliever for their wickedness versus allowing the light of the Gospel to shine forth by our deeds. We constantly tell people they are drinking too much, listening to the wrong things, wearing the wrong clothes, watching the wrong movies, hanging out at the wrong places, and sleeping with the wrong people.
Now many will say “Lionel that is what we are supposed to do”! And I would agree and disagree. I disagree that we are too constantly remind the sinner that he/she is wrong by word but I do agree we are to do it by deed. Check what Paul says in Ephesians 5:
7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light.
How are we to expose the deeds of those who are in the dark? By telling them how wicked they are and that their lives are an abomination to God? By putting fish signs on the back of our car? By wearing shirts that say “marriage is between one man and one woman”? By trying to influence them by political power? How about by marching on parades or having convicting signs outside abortion clinics (I have saw some good work with people who are doing some loving work outside of clinics so not all work is this way). Paul says neither. But by simply walking in light and the light will expose the darkness because the darkness can’t overcome the light. And this is by being filled with the Spirit (a few verses down)
Next comes the truth. Today we have the guardians of truth! Now they may not call themselves that (I am guilty or at least have been numerous of times) but they are definitely that. You see we now have creeds, confessions, statements, and the like which guide us into all truth. And when you disagree with this you can easily become marked. Statements such as “no creed but Christ” can be very dangerous today. Especially in circles that I run with. Denominations have also become the “guardians of truth”. If you don’t get baptized a certain way, or if you sing certain music, or if your outreach is done a certain way, or if you preach differently than them, if you tend to be more practical than theological, if you don’t have a seminary degree (though I actually think they can be a huge help on average), if you don’t witness like they do, if you don’t hold to their theological convictions. You see if you do things differently than them then you can’t possibly be walking in truth because they said so.
I have been so guilty of this that I am ashamed. With my wife, with my friends, with my coworkers, with my family, and with strangers. I wanted clones not a mosaic of Christian belief. Since I had the truth then it must mean that anyone who believes differntly can’t be walking in the truth. You know the verse “you shall know MY truth and it shall set you free”! Instead of letting the Spirit do the guiding I wanted to assume that role, instead of allowing the Spirit to convict on sin, judgment and righteousness I wanted to Lord it over the faith of others. Why? Because I know me and God was good and if we were good then you have to get good with Him my way.
It is funny that even the apostle Paul says this to the Philippians:
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Paul had confidence (this it third confidence statement he gives in this epistle) that God would reveal this to them.
I close with this. Lets trust the Holy Spirit to do the work He promised to do. Yes we are to admonish, exhort, encourage, and spur each other along especially in these last and evil days. But lets not forget who’s we are and what He promises to do for His bride. He has purchased the right for the Spirit to be sent and it is His job to do the marvelous work of transformation. Lets lean more on Him and not our man made traditions to do this supernatural work.
I agree with this and am guilty of being a defender of truth. We really have to trust in Christ and not our own flesh. This past Sunday, I was leaving to take my sons to church when the JW’s came to my door. I had been waiting for an oppurtunity to slam these guys in my flesh. But the Spirit didn’t have me to do so. I let them talk and then reproved them in wisdom of God. All the things I wanted to say in my flesh got thrown right out the window. One of JW’s ended up becoming angry saying “Jesus is a god sir” and said I was under the judgment of God. It’s amazing that following after the Spirit, you respond very peacefully. There was no need for me to run and get a bible, the Lord just gave everything that I needed to say. The other JW did not want to leave but wanted to know why JW’s were a cult according to the Scriptures. I calmly reasoned with him the scriptures as the angry JW tried to leave, “come on, we cannot convince him, he’s set in his beliefs!” Now if I had followed my flesh, oh they would have probably seen me act a fool.
How is it that we trust the Spirit of God, Christ within us, and not our own ways of thinking? Many times, being reformed, I gain a lot of head knowledge of the Scriptures, and forget to follow after the Spirit of Christ. Like you said, we must trust the Spirit to do the work He has promised to do. God bless
Karsten
Whats good KM?
How is the new addition to family bro? The wife doing well? I pray that things are going well for you family. It is funny when we think we have won an arguement which is fun, but sometimes we lose the opportunity to minister to certain individuals. I know that has been my case many of times.
David is doing great. My wife is doing well too. She is nursing as well so her sleep is being taken from her. I try a stay up some nights and bottle feed him her milk, just so she can get some rest. Thanks for the prayers. They didn’t let us leave the hospital because David lost 12% of his body weight. So we were up every two hours pumping milk into him. He has now gained all of his weight back and putting on some more pounds.
Sorry to hear that. Is David still in the hospital now? I am glad things are getting better. A domesticated man! You east coast dudes are soft! LOL!!!!! My wife made me go back to sleep because I was up evertime she was and I was making too much noise. I didn’t know I had to be a church mouse!
Lionel,
Very well written! Only broken vessels can pour out words like this! It is like a refreshing spring when I hear of men and women who understands the value of walking in the spirit and of true fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Like you said, we must allow the Holy Spirit to do his job! He was able to bring us unto saving faith, and he is working daily in us to “will and do of his good pleasure,” so he is certainly able to handle the issues and problems with his bride! You said one word that we throw around a lot, but I’m not sure we fully understand it. That word is “Trust.” To trust the voice of God and walk in dark, unfamiliar places is harder than religion! To follow the leading of the Holy Spirit with nothing but the promise of his name Jehovah Shamah… most Christians don’t know that’s what they signed-up for! Again, great post… Of all the gifts Jesus gave us, his presence tops the list! You hit it on the nose regarding how the disciples must have felt! Imagine how we would feel if the Holy Spirit told us he was leaving us, even if it was for a little while! I would panic! To live in this age with no peace, no guide, no joy, no power, no strength, no love… you know the rest! This topic has reminded me of how precious and wonderful the presence of the Holy Spirit is, and how we neglect and take his presence lightly to often. Thanks my brother, I’m encouraged to go and worship!