John 16:7-15

Read John 16:1-15

"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 depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." John 16:7-8,13-14

From Jesus' words to His disciples before His death, resurrection, and ascension, we learn much of the Holy Spirit's ministry. When Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out His Spirit, the Holy Spirit was a witness against the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the apostles and followers of Jesus, testifies against the whole world of unbelievers, convicting them of sin because they have rejected and crucified Jesus Christ, God's own Son and the only source of forgiveness and life (cf. Acts 2:1ff.; Hebrews 10:26-31); convicting them of righteousness because Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, had ascended to the very throne of God with the only righteousness that is acceptable to God (cf. Acts 4:11-12; Romans 3:10ff.; 1 John 2:1-2); and convicting them of judgment because the devil, who rules over the world of sinners, has already been overcome and judged by Jesus' victory on the cross, meaning that all who continue under Satan's rule will soon share in his judgment and condemnation (cf. Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:1-17; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15).

But for those who believe, the Holy Spirit comes along side us and dwells in us as a Helper and Encourager to keep us trusting in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and life eternal. He guides us into all truth because He takes the things of Jesus Christ and tells them to us. Through the apostles and prophets, He has given to us the Holy Scriptures "which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15; cf. 3:14-17). The Holy Spirit teaches us as we read and study His Word so that we know the truth and are made free from slavery to sin and alive to God through faith in Jesus and His blood shed for sin (cf. John 8:31-32; 1 John 2:27; Psalm 119:97-105). The Spirit reminds us that, though we have sinned, in Jesus' shed blood we have forgiveness and life (cf. 1 John 1:8-2:2; Romans 3:23-24; Isaiah 1:18). And the Spirit comforts us with the knowledge that, though our lives in this world are full of pain and suffering, we have an eternal inheritance awaiting us in heaven for Jesus' sake (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 7:9-17; John 14:1-3; 16:33).

Dear Lord Jesus, grant us the help and comfort of Your Holy Spirit that we may learn the truth from Your Word and trust in You for forgiveness and life and follow You unto life everlasting. Amen.

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