When Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost for His Highest, ran a small Bible college, he learned that a couple who worked there was stealing supplies. Although at times it’s right to address wrongdoing, Oswald decided in this instance not to confront them, instead asking God to bring the matter to their hearts and minds. After several weeks, they came clean, expressing regret. “I’ve known about it all along,” Oswald said, “but we wanted to wait until God’s Spirit spoke to you.” Moved and astonished, the couple surrendered their lives to Jesus.
God’s Spirit at work is what Jesus promised His friends before He died: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). The disciples grieved at the thought of Jesus going away, but He reassured them that this was for their good. Then “the Advocate,” God’s Holy Spirit, would come to them (v. 7). Through the Spirit, God convicts people of their sin: “He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” (v. 8). He also guides people “into all the truth” (v. 13).
The Spirit continues His work today so we too might not “fall away” (v. 1) but rather enjoy life eternal. God gives us the Advocate to convict us when we’re wrong, comfort us when we’re sad, and lead us to worship God.
By Amy Boucher Pye - Our Daily Bread Ministries
John 16:5-15
5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
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 the 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. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
