In John's Gospel chapter 16, Jesus warned the Disciples about the persecution they would face in this world. Christ never promised a trouble free christian life. He said "in this world you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart , I have overcome the world".The world would hate, isolate,reject and even kill us, thinking that they are serving God. Christ wanted that the disciples should be informed and prepared for the trials of their faith. Jesus never promised a trouble free,healthy, wealthy and happy Gospel. Christ promised the disciples His peace as part of His blessings. The world can promise peace but can't deliver it. Only Jesus can deliver the peace because He has overcome the world.
The disciples were sad that Christ was going away. He told them that it was necessary for Him to go so that the Holy Spirit would come.They were not ready spiritually to understand all that Christ wanted to tell them. The Holy Spirit arrival would convict the world in three areas. He would convict the world concerning sin by warning about the danger of not believing in Christ. The ultimate sin we commit is not believing in Christ(16:9). Without the Holy Spirit, people would never understand the danger of refusing to believe Christ as their Savior. Conviction of sin often leads to repentance and regeneration. Secondly the Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness.The World rejected and crucified the righteous one. Jesus Christ. He is the only one who is perfect. His resurrection and ascension are the proof that He pleased the Father and accepted by Him(Rom 1:4).The Holy Spirit brings in us a hunger for righteousness that could lead us into repentance and faith in Christ. Thirdly the Holy Spirit will convict the world of the final judgment that comes on those who reject Christ. Satan the ruler of this world is already judged at the cross and his fate is sealed. Those who reject Christ will end with Satan on the final day of judgment(Rev 20:11-15). The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God and the transformed life of Christians to convict the world of it's sin. But people can resist the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. It would be a huge mistake to down play the goodness of God(Rom 2:4).Jesus also promised that,"When the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will guide believers into all truth. This promise has it's immediate fulfillment in the writing the New Testament(2 Tim 3:16). Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are the children of God(Rom 8:16). The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Scripture and glorifies Christ in us. Only by the Holy Spirit we can understand the awesome and praiseworthy attributes of Jesus Christ.
The disciples were confused when Jesus said He would go away very soon and return again. He was referring to His death, the coming of the Holy Spirit and His final return(Jn 14:3) They would weep over His death but the world will rejoice. But their sorrow will turn to joy at his resurrection. It would be like the pain at the child birth. Since Christ has returned to the Father their prayer should be made in the name of the Son. Now they pray to God based on the merits of the finished work of Christ and His supreme position The Father will answer our prayers because we are His treasured love gift to His Son. The ultimate purpose of prayer is the glory of God and the blessing of believers. Only Jesus can give us peace because he overcame the world. The disciple now understood that Christ was speaking to them openly and believed that He came from God. Jesus told them that they will leave Him alone. Yet the Father is with Him. Jesus Comforted the disciples by promising His peace as they encounter trouble in this hostile world. May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with Christ and His peace!!
The disciples were sad that Christ was going away. He told them that it was necessary for Him to go so that the Holy Spirit would come.They were not ready spiritually to understand all that Christ wanted to tell them. The Holy Spirit arrival would convict the world in three areas. He would convict the world concerning sin by warning about the danger of not believing in Christ. The ultimate sin we commit is not believing in Christ(16:9). Without the Holy Spirit, people would never understand the danger of refusing to believe Christ as their Savior. Conviction of sin often leads to repentance and regeneration. Secondly the Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness.The World rejected and crucified the righteous one. Jesus Christ. He is the only one who is perfect. His resurrection and ascension are the proof that He pleased the Father and accepted by Him(Rom 1:4).The Holy Spirit brings in us a hunger for righteousness that could lead us into repentance and faith in Christ. Thirdly the Holy Spirit will convict the world of the final judgment that comes on those who reject Christ. Satan the ruler of this world is already judged at the cross and his fate is sealed. Those who reject Christ will end with Satan on the final day of judgment(Rev 20:11-15). The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God and the transformed life of Christians to convict the world of it's sin. But people can resist the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. It would be a huge mistake to down play the goodness of God(Rom 2:4).Jesus also promised that,"When the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will guide believers into all truth. This promise has it's immediate fulfillment in the writing the New Testament(2 Tim 3:16). Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are the children of God(Rom 8:16). The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Scripture and glorifies Christ in us. Only by the Holy Spirit we can understand the awesome and praiseworthy attributes of Jesus Christ.
The disciples were confused when Jesus said He would go away very soon and return again. He was referring to His death, the coming of the Holy Spirit and His final return(Jn 14:3) They would weep over His death but the world will rejoice. But their sorrow will turn to joy at his resurrection. It would be like the pain at the child birth. Since Christ has returned to the Father their prayer should be made in the name of the Son. Now they pray to God based on the merits of the finished work of Christ and His supreme position The Father will answer our prayers because we are His treasured love gift to His Son. The ultimate purpose of prayer is the glory of God and the blessing of believers. Only Jesus can give us peace because he overcame the world. The disciple now understood that Christ was speaking to them openly and believed that He came from God. Jesus told them that they will leave Him alone. Yet the Father is with Him. Jesus Comforted the disciples by promising His peace as they encounter trouble in this hostile world. May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with Christ and His peace!!
