Spirit Of Truth

As I bring this message to you today I have been impressed to remind you to always remember God Loves You and He wants what is best for his children.  

I was once asked; what is your ministry built on?  I knew that what they were really asking was what denomination are you apart of or if non-denomination what doctrine do you preach.  My answer was I teach the good news the gospel of Grace.  The comment back to me that is good but don’t forget you have to be tough; people have to be kept in check.  On the inside my response was that is exactly what I don’t want to be.  This statement reminded me of all the junk that I had been taught in church when it came to the law, works, God sitting in heaven with a ruler ready to slap your hand when you got out of line.  Those numerous times of walking the isle to rededicate, being baptized a second time to get the old monkey off my back, the times I got mad at God demanding, or what some might say claim it for things to happen.  I am sure you can relate to one if not all of these.  What I am here to tell you is that it is time to clean out the clutter in your mind and shut the door to anyone who teaches a mixture of law and grace.  

The other statement I have been continually hearing is that Grace is dangerous if that is all you teach then sin will run rapid… what about Hebrews 12, 1 Corinthians 11, or any other passage when it comes to God chastening believers, what about the book of James.  First off once you understand the true love of God sin no longer has any power over you.  When sin does abound because of grace you have been given the power to overcome it.  Speaking of God’s chastening in the Greek when it comes to Grace it speaks of training, when it comes to the law it speaks of punishment.  Jesus is not a slave master, looking to punish when you step out of line, He is a peace provider, looking to intercede and cry Grace on your behalf.  

If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkled on the mercy seat could cover the yearly sins of a nation to where they were not held accountable.  Than why is it so hard to grasp the belief that the blood of Jesus sprinkled on the mercy seat redeems all sin forever!

This brings me to the heart of the message, let’s take a minute and turn to John where Jesus is speaking to the disciples 

John 14:26-27 (The Message)

25-27 "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.

In this passage Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as your friend.  Jesus also gives a departing gift of peace, When Jesus said the word peace he spoke the Hebrew word Shalom which means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.  Today’s translation means nothing missing nothing broken.  Jesus went on to say later in John chapter 16;

John 16:12-15 (The Message)

12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine.” That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.'

Isn’t it fulfilling to know that Jesus knew that the understanding of things that he longed to tell us had to wait until He made the statement “It is Finished” and He was at the right hand of the Father!  Then He assures us that the Spirit of Truth comes, as our friend to take you by the hand and guide you into all truth. “He takes from me and delivers to you”  

This friend not only guides you to salvation but also comforts and guides you through out your life here on earth while receiving the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus.  In Ephesians 1 we find it expressed this way;    

Ephesians 1:13-14 (The Message)

13-14 It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

The things God has planned for us is the same as God putting everything together for us as stated in Romans chapter 4;

Romans 4:13-15 (The Message)

13-15 That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed. If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Friend that at Jesus request was sent by God to train, guide and comfort you on a daily basis out of honor takes from Jesus to give to you all that God has for you.  He will pick up all the broken pieces of your life, throw out the junk and make you whole and glorious in the sight of God.  Not by your works but by the work of Him in you.

I am going to close with a verse from a song my sixteen year old daughter Katelyn wrote and shared with me today.  When it comes to Grace this speaks volumes; 

Even though I fall and stumble, 

He sees me clean, He sees me clean. 

His love and grace can cover anything. 

Because of Him I have no guilt, 

I have no shame, 

He took away all my pain.  

He sees me clean, He sees me clean, 

Pure and perfect, He sees me clean, 

Oh Jesus covered everything. 

Live life knowing God will never be angry with you; his wrath for your sins was put on Jesus while on the cross. The Spirit of Truth is now among us to comfort and guide us to fulfilling the promise of our inheritance.  Faith sponsors the gift of Grace; the promise is equally secured for all God’s children. The law has no exclusive claim on anyone; the reward system cannot match the gift.  The Spirit of Truth is your Friend; yes, Jesus took care of everything!

God Loves You!