For as long as it takes we are going to study the gospel of
John chapters fourteen to seventeen. Some of it will be what I have already
written and some will be new. Therefore it may sometimes appear that I leave
off in the middle of a topic to be continued, since I have reached my daily
word count limit. We will also return to placing a blog posting daily for the
time being.
In order to follow this you ought to have read from the first
posting in the series – John 14 (One).
We continue from
the previous message.
The ‘all
things’ the Holy Spirit will teach and counsel us in consist of
everything that is needed for life and godliness - 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has
given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
virtue.” If our life is not fulfilling, or is lacking, we will be discontented
vessels and true to human nature will be pre-occupied with our needs and wants.
The Holy Spirit therefore desires to counsel us on a daily basis on practical
aspects of our life, such as the examples in the previous message. The goal of
the Lord is to get us to the point where we do not focus on this present life
anymore, but keep ourselves occupied with Kingdom issues (Mathew 6:19-21, 33,
and so on). Once we have learned the basics of not worrying about this
life anymore, but leave it in the hands of Jehovah Jirah our provider, the Holy
Spirit can then counsel us in godliness, all aspects pertaining to an effective
relationship with the Lord and the efficient functioning of the Kingdom of God.
Everything we need for these are in the Word, which is
twofold namely Jesus (rhema or revelation knowledge) and the Bible (logos or
the written word). Jesus’ life in us makes it possible for us to attain what we
should have as revealed through the Bible. All we have to do is to read the
Bible and as a result desire to have what it promises in terms of abilities,
gifts and power. Through consulting with the Holy Spirit in prayer, which includes
careful listening, we learn the right way to apply the truths that we have
learned and desire.
“Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” (John 14:27).
Every day on the news we hear the world crying ‘peace”.
The different Councils of Churches also cry ‘peace’. Yet Jesus made a
significant statement in Matthew 10:34: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the
earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” In 1Thessalonians
5:3 Paul says: “While people are saying, ‘peace and safety’, destruction will come on
them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
How do we put all of these together? If you look up the word peace in the concordance you will
find many occasions where Christians wish each other peace.
What Jesus is telling the disciples
is that as long as we look unto Jesus as our protection and help we will have
peace – even in the most severe circumstances. In the world there will never be
peace simply because of two reasons. The heart of man does not want God. Man
wants to be his own god and continually fights to attain it. Secondly, even
though Satan has been defeated, he is not bound yet and outside of Christ he
rules the world. In other words where Christians are concerned Satan has no
power except for what we allow him, but in the world he is still the ruler,
since the people of the world do not recognise Jesus and therefore give Satan
full authority. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy,” and since He is comparing Satan to a thief it is
understandable that Satan is out to destroy the world. His ideal is to kill as
many people as possible before they get to know their Saviour. That is why
Jesus’ message is simple – until Satan is bound the world will never know peace,
since Satan stirs things up because of Jesus. Yet within Christ and His
protection we can have peace (to be continued).
Holy
Spirit, please help us to follow your counsel so we can walk in peace.
Thank you Lord that
your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not
return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the
purpose for which you sent it.
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