12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
Our Lord shows us here that our Christian growth is to be incrementally progressing. As the Holy Spirit shines the light of Truth into our lives and we are obedient to His leading, we grow. The Spirit not only works on the enemies of Christ but also on His servants and agents. We do not become Christians and then automatically turn into grounded theologians. There are steps and degrees of Christian attainment and it comes through obedience to the light received. God does not go deeper still if we fail to move on the light already given – all that He shows us matters. He neither teases nor plays games with our growth in Christ – ever remaining seriously committed regarding our lives. God is abundantly aware that there is no full knowledge apart from our moral commitment – complete understanding results from complete yielding. None of us who presently walk upon this dusty earth are perfect (that may surprise some) – we are all in process of being conformed into the image of Jesus. Our growth will depend on our willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Paul tells us in Romans:
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (NIV)
Over and over in Scripture we are told to “Grow up in Him” who is Head. The experiences and circumstances allowed in our lives are to be used to work toward this end goal – to become more and more like Jesus. We finally arrive when we get home to heaven. Until then, it is step by step and day by day. We must remember that out Lord is unsearchable in all His ways – His understanding no one can fathom. There is never an end in learning of Him. Scripture tells us:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" Romans 11:33-34 (NIV)
Also, Paul tells us in Colossians where the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be discovered:
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 (NIV)
In our verses for today, it is evident that Christ’s disciples were not ready to hear more regarding the kingdom of God – they simply could not bear it. It would more than likely have confused and perplexed them rather than given them comfort and satisfaction. Our Lord therefore takes the opportunity to assure them of the sufficient assistance of the Holy Spirit. This is not the first time His guys had heard similar Words from their Master. Earlier in John we discover our Lord’s Words:
15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:15-21 (NIV)
Notice verse twenty-one – the one who loves will obey (willingly) and the Father will love him and Jesus will love him and show Himself to him. Amazing – Christ was now leaving His disciples but He promises to continue to love them bearing them on His heart and ever living to intercede for them. This is not only true for our Lord’s first disciples but for every follower of Christ thereafter.
“The kind things he here said to his disciples were intended not for those only who were now his followers, but for all who should believe in him through their witness. The duty of those who claim the dignity of being disciples: Having Christ’s commands, we must obey them. Having them in our heads, we must keep them in our hearts and lives. The dignity of those who do the duty of disciples: Not those who have the greatest wit and know how to talk for him, or the greatest estate to spend for him, but those who obey his commands. The surest evidence of our love for Christ is obedience to the laws of Christ.” Matthew Henry
The Holy Spirit is promised to be our Guide into all Truth. Our growth in Jesus occurs as we are obedient to His leading. This is very important because our conscience is often defiled by sin and not a reliable guide by itself. We can convince ourselves of the rightness of anything we desire to do can we not? Trust me - this will not lead us down a very peaceful path – we must lean into the Spirit’s perfect leading. We will never be disappointed in following hard after Jesus.
“The human conscience is defiled by sin, says the Bible – and that is one reason it is not a reliable guide by itself. Our conscience needs to be cleansed by the purifying work of the Holy Spirit, and honed and sharpened by the truth of the Word of God. Satan can even twist our consciences if they are not yielded to Christ and convince us that wrong is really right.” Billy Graham