Christ within You, post number 2408

     We are into the Seeking of Truth and what is Truth. With each person this does not stand on the same grounding because of our individual backgrounds and trainings as young people. It is what causes divisions between us and nations. I say this because of the episodes of this past weekend and the effects that will ripple effect, from them around the world, like for shot heard that caused the American Revolution. Now I shall move on with our study of John chapter 16 but with this first, this taken from Pastor Hoekstra's daily thought: The Spirit Promised to Glorify Jesus:

When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you to all the Truth . . . He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you . . . Now we have received . . . the Spirit Who is from GOD, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by GOD. (John 16:13-14 and 1Corinthians 2:12)

The promised teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit involves His guiding us into all the Truths of the word of GOD. "When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all the Truth." As the Spirit is fulfilling this promise and mission or ministry, He especially wants to unfold God's Truth (realities) in ways that will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. "'He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.'" The desire of the Holy Spirit is to bring glory and honor, not to Himself, but to the Lord Jesus Christ. "'For when the Helper comes, Whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (John 15:26). 

Now for my target of John 16 beginning at verse 5 and carry it through verse 15, here goes: 

The Work of the Holy Spirit:

John 16:5-11, 12-15 Jesus is speaking: 'But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asked Me, Where are You going? But because I have said these things to you, sorrow hash filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the Truth; It is more expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He is come, "He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:" Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and you (they will) see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it to you.'  

Now to me this speaks volumes that sadly to many don't hear.

Christ within You, post number 2407

     We are on a quest of finding what Truth is in this study of our LORD Jesus Who introduced the secret things of GOD, spoken of in Deuteronomy 28:28 and the NT mystery of Christ within all of humanity as our origin and true identity, though it was also revealed in the first chapter of Genesis but not in the same language used by its author, and then carried into Leviticus 17 verse 11 and this repeated by the writer of Hebrews in chapter 13 and verse 10, this we shave shared in this blog many times already. Now the veil was removed by the hand of GOD not by man to see this look at 1Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 30 or Ephesians 1 and verse 4. Now for another look at say the OT scriptures that reveal Christ as they all are made reference to at one time or another as the inspired word. The problem remains within whom is this word revealed for me the obvious answer is within you and me as we share the same humanity that Jesus put on giving and providing us all a common ground of relationship. Our common ground restored as referenced to in Romans 12:1-2, by the Holy Spirit. Now for John chapter 16 which begins with a word of warning by Jesus;

Jesus' warning:

John 16:1-4  These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me. For these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 

The Work of the Holy Spirit:

John 16:5-11  But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you ask 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 expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

From here Jesus tells His followers that there remains much more of Him to learn. This we shall see in our next post.

Christ within You, post number 2406

     So what is Truth and how is it reached? Should we leave that thought and move on to John chapter 15 beginning at verse 18 to see what the Lord Jesus has to say therein.

The Hatred of the World, a Disciples relationship with:

John 15:18-25, 26-27  Jesus is still speaking: 'If the world hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were to remain of the world, the world would love you as it's own: but because you are not of the world, for I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do to you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, "They hated Me without a cause (Psalm 35:19 and 69:4) ."
For when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me: And you also shall bear witness of Me, because you have been with Me from the beginning.'

With our next posting we shall be in chapter 16 of John's epistle where we find a warning.

Christ within You, post number 2404

 Truth is sometimes hard to believe and accept but to join with the LORD of Glory that is required to receive the promise and promises. When things are in order they become clearer than before, this the work of the Holy Spirit. Today we begin our look in John 15 verses 1 through 11 and then verses 12 through 17 as follows:

I Am the True Vine:

John 15:1-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-11 Jesus is speaking: 'I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. IF you Abide in Me, and I will abide within you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me. 

I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, that is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

If you abide in Me, My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done for you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father loves Me, so have I loved you: continue in My love. 

If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.' 

Now for the Love relationship of those who follow Jesus: 

John 15:12-16, 17  'This is My commandment, That you love one another, as I have love you. For Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known to you. For you have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father being in My name, He may give it you.

These things I command you, that you love one another.'

Christ within You, post number 2403

     Keeping to our search for the Truth as a seeker of Truth brings across my thoughts some of what the OT states as found in the following; God Promising the Gentiles to His Messiah:
I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles . . . It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isa. 42:6 and 49:6) Next we have the following: God's Ability and His Promises:
Ah, LORD God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth . . . There is nothing too hard for You . . . Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jer. 32:17, 27) Then we find this: More on God's Ability and His Promises:
With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible . . . For with GOD nothing will be impossible. (Mat. 19:26 and Luke 1:37) Also this: More on God's Ability and His Promises:
Our GOD (otherwise it could be the god of the flesh) "whom we serve" (is the key) is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace . . . Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. (Dan. 3:17 and Jude 1:24) How about this: Still More on God's Ability and His Promises:
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2Titus 1:12) Or maybe this: Once More on God's Ability and His Promises:
Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think . . . . (Eph. 3:20) Now the big one: God Promising Eternal Life:
And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. (1John 2:25) It cannot get much better or can it: More on the Promise of Eternal Life:
And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life . . . And this is the testimony: that GOD has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1John 2:25 and 5:11)

The depth of these passages and others of their nature are spread throughout the new and old testament. Jesus and the Father of all humanity are oath bond to their promise and promises by way of Blood Covenant. Now for our passages taken from John chapter 15.

Christ within You, post number 2402

     The Seeking for Truth is an arguest task with many challenging potholes in the road less traveled to say the lest and one of them is the following statement of the now risen and ascended LORD Jesus. It found in John's gospel chapter 10 and verse 28 which in the KJV reads as flows, as He is speaking to the Pharisees, and because of their religious attitudes drew this out of Him: John 10:27-29  'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: (28)  And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.' While having stated this in verse 10: John 10:10  The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: "'I am come that they (Who are the "they" referenced here? All of Humanity is the correct answer.) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'" And again we have the flowing this time from chapter 10 verses 14 and 16 beginning at verse 12 of this narrative: John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of Grace and Truth. Verse 16: Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. Now for John 3 verse 15 for another bold statement, beginning with verse 14, Jesus is speaking: John 3:14  'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15)  That whosoever believe Him should not perish, but have eternal life. Now that's a thought worth its weight in gold. 

But today's subject is from John 14 verses 15 through 31 this speaking of the Holy Spirit that is to be given after the ascension to His followers? Jesus tells us what the Holy Spirit's assignment and function is within the context of this. Now Jesus is doing the speaking here as sets the first requirement in verse 15.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit:

John 14:15-17, 18-24, 25-31 "'If you love Me, keep My Commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with and in you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither know Him: but you know Him; for He dwells with and in you, and shall be in you.  

John 14:18-24  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see  Me no more; but you shall see Me: because I live, you shall live also.  At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He that has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Then Judas asks of Him, not Iscariot, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not unto the world?"  Jesus answered him with, 'If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come into (Genesis 1:26-28, Leviticus 17:11) him, and make our abode within him. It is he that loves Me, but he that does not keep My sayings: and the word which you hear are not mine, for they are of the Father, Who sent Me. 

John 14:25-31  These things have I spoken to you, being yet present with you. For the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. My  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. If you loved Me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me Commandment, even so I do, give it to you. Arise, let us go hence.'" 

I apologize for it length. Our next area begins with chapter 15.

Christ within You, post number 2401

     Being a Seeker of Truth opens up doors that would have otherwise been shut especially when it comes to understanding and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to put the scriptures together in an understandable form unlike the standard Bible translations, that push the ideology of the religion of those translating it. One area that is available though it was not designed or intended for it alone is Facebook and of course the internet if one knows how to phrase a key word of text question to get the desired results. We shall look at the question and answer given to Philip in our text from John 14 verses 8 through 14 this shortly before Jesus promises to provide the Holy Spirit as our guide, comforter and the revealer of all that is Truth, as follows:

John 14:8-14  Philip asked of Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us." Jesus answers him with, 'Have I been so long time with you, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He that has seen Me has seen the Father; and how say you then, ""Show us the Father?"" Believest you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily (Of a great Truth), I say to you, He that believes Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to My and your Father.  And whatsoever you shall ask of Me in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.'"

This is a key to our own understanding of all things both of the past, present and further. Our next area of John 14 deals with the workings of the Holy Spirit.