Scripture:
John 14:15-27 NKJV
[15] “If you love Me, keep My commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. [19] “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. [20] At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. [21] He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” [23] Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. [24] He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. [25] “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Observation:
Over the years of reading the Bible. I have found myself scratching my head at times. I believe it’s because not only have I been reading the Bible, but also listening to others and their opinion on what it says. I’m not sure if you had the opportunity to read yesterday’s SOAP, but it addressed this topic. The Bible was not written by man, it was written by the Holy Spirit. It’s a divinely inspired book, written by the very hand of GOD HIMSELF. As we know if we took the time to read yesterday’s SOAP, the things that GOD has said have been under the attack of the enemy from the very beginning of time. That’s not going to change. This is why it’s important for us to develop a personal relationship with GOD through HIS word. It’s something that can not take second place. It has to be the most important part of our lives. Our love for GOD, has to come above all else. If we were just to go back to the 10 commandments and read them, the very first one makes a statement. You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. The statement that makes is, GOD, will not take second place, and honestly, if we pay attention to what Jesus said when HE was asked what the most important command was, HE simplified them by saying love GOD and love others, self was not mentioned in that equation. In fact the only times loving yourself is mentioned in the bible it’s in a negative light. You can read it in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 and verse 2. After Jesus says, “If you love Me you will keep “MY” commandments,” HE says i will pray to the Father, and HE will give you a Helper, that HE may be with you forever.” This leads me to a question. If we had the ability to keep the commandments why would we need a Helper. I’m sure, if you are a thinking man like me. This has crossed your mind. But a Helper is needed. In verses 21 and 22 an interesting point is brought to the surface. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by the Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. The interesting part of this statement is that the commandments are still brought to the surface. But a light has been shed on it, it’s in the word manifest. This word is a key to unlocking what is being said. The word means to make clear and obvious to the eye or mind. So what Jesus is saying is that HE will make HIMSELF clear and obvious to us. This has to do with the Helper. Verse 18 says, “HE will not leave us as orphans.” A Helper will be sent. The question asked by Judas (not Iscariot) has to do with that Helper. If you notice Jesus didn’t directly answer his question. But if you are paying attention HE answered it before the question was even asked, HE said, “I will send a Helper.” That Helper will bring to mind all that Jesus has said. As HE moves forward in what HE is teaching, HE says, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, HE will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. The Holy Spirit is the manifestation of Jesus, HE makes things clear to our eyes and mind. As HE prepares to leave us HE confirms a promise that the Father spoke, “I will never leave you orphans forsake you.” Rejoice in the fact that the Holy Spirit is with us because Jesus, the soon-coming KING, had to be next to the Father to advocate for us, so that we could live without fear of condemnation.
Application:
Man can’t do what GOD has asked us to do, but with GOD all things are possible. The death that Jesus experienced was necessary. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried and failed. Trying in your own power will never work. Surrender and Submission is the only way, HE gave us a Helper. The very same spirit that raised Christ from the grave lives inside of us. But how does all that make sense and how do we tap into that kind of authority? As our relationship with Jesus Christ develops, the still small voice that most of us call a conscience begins to speak. Sometimes we hear it just before we make a decision to do something we know we are not supposed to do, and sometimes we hear it just after we did something we knew we were not supposed to do. The training process is HIS grace. A Helper is someone who encourages you to do what you are supposed to be doing. I know you have been there, because I can’t be the only one. Right before you are going to do something you hear a still small voice in the very back of your mind that says, “I don’t think this is a good idea.” What you do with that voice is important. I have to tell you. That a helper will not do it for you. They will encourage you to do it, but if they do it for you, then it’s not a Helper, it’s a doer. The leading of the Holy Spirit is something we have to tune our ears to hear. It would be nice if it came naturally, but the Bible tells us that what comes naturally to us is sin, GOD’S grace trains us through HIS Holy Spirit to hear what HE has spoken. This process is called sanctification. It means to be set apart. As our relationship with Christ develops we begin to want more of HIM and less of us. The sanctification process is quick for some and slow for others. I myself I’m very hard headed. And it takes me a while to learn. But over the years of walking with Christ I have come a long way. There are a lot of things that still need work, but the process has started and I am grateful for that. I may not be the man I should be but thank GOD I’m not the man I used to be. I do my best to listen to that still small voice, and there have been a lot of things that have been eliminated from my life as a result of having that Helper. But I know HE is still working on me. Conforming me to the image of HIS son. Transforming me by bringing HIS word to my mind at just the right time. Sometimes I hear it right before and sometimes after. But HE is shaping and molding a vessel for HIS uses. I hope HE is doing the same for you. I hope you train your ears by reading HIS word daily. That’s how HE speaks to me. Through the words that HE spoke, that have been written down for us so that we can hear HIM. We speak to HIM through prayer and HE speaks to us though HIS living word planted directly in the soil of our hearts. That’s the process. Let HIM shape you.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you know us better than we know ourselves. You have made us for this time right here, and you are able to do way more than we could ever ask. We do not want to limit you by asking for what we think we need, so we will just ask that you fill us with the very same Spirit that you used to bring your son back to life. You are able to do so or you would not have told us so in your word. We know that you did not send your son so that we would be trapped in our sin. You sent HIM to redeem us from that sin. So we pray that you would plant your word in our hearts. That you would give us a love for others that would set ourselves aside. That you would be on the throne of our hearts. Setting aside this life and living for a life spent with you in eternity. Guide us, fill us, sanctify us in your Holy name. We want to be doers of your would. Not seeking after knowledge, but rather wisdom. We want more of you and less of us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.