Continuing to prepare the
disciples for life after his ascension, Jesus promises the disciples that they
will not be alone. He will send them the Holy Spirit – the “Spirit of
Truth.” As you study, look for what Jesus is saying about how God’s Spirit
works within us to point us to the truth. Ask God to lead you more deeply
into this truth.
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click
here to access the reading from John 16:13-15
REFLECTION
The Spirit of Truth
by Kelsey Bacon
I love that Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit here as the Spirit of
Truth. He is the Spirit of Hope, of justice, of peace, of comfort, of guidance,
but Jesus chose to name Truth as the outstanding quality. In the context of
Jesus' conversation with the disciples, it seemed as if he were trying to
impart as much truth as possible to his followers in that moment, knowing that
later on their faith would be tested and their trust in the truth might waver.
Doesn't that seem kind of like the world we're living in today?
Every day our faith is tested and our trust in the truth wavers. Maybe it's not
trust in the truth of Christ, but trust in what's true about our world. With
news coming from all sides and social media bombarding us with every possible
viewpoint, it can be difficult to sort out what's true and what's not.
Earlier in this passage, in verse 7, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit
"the Advocate." And I love this special name for the Spirit because it
represents the fact that the Spirit is our voice of truth, he is our defender,
he is our guardian, our ally, our guide. And in a world of chaos where we don't
know what to believe, we have an Advocate who speaks nothing but truth.
My dad said to me one time, "the truth will stand when the
world's on fire," which I think is a quote from something, but I couldn't
tell you what. But it's true, isn't it? Right now, it kinda feels like the
world's on fire, or at least it has at points in the last several months. And
the one thing that has gotten me through it is the truth of Jesus' saving
grace, of his power and his light. Knowing that he is in control, and that I'm
not alone. And it's the Spirit who brings that truth to me every day, fighting
off the enemy on my behalf so that I can receive that truth.
The enemy is sure as heck launching his attack on our divided,
chaotic, angry world. But the truth still stands, and if we let it, the truth
will not only engage our minds to connect with God, but also soften our hearts
to become a little less divided, chaotic, angry, or whatever other sins we
bring to the table.
Consider
1. Are there any sinful thoughts or feelings you're having towards
others during this divisive time in our country? How can you seek God's truth
to repent, receive forgiveness, and work towards unity?
2. How have you seen God's truth at work in your life?
UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER
THURSDAY: TRIUMPH
Pray
for scientists all over the world seeking antidotes to heal the world of this
virus. Pray they would be triumphant quickly.
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