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The Gospel of John – Part 4 Confirmation of the Word – Function of the Holy Spirit

Today we continue our series on the Good News according to John the Apostle. Last, Jesus warned the disciples of the coming persecution, and based on our study, we understand that we should live displaying “The Fruit of the Spirit” in both times of peace and freedom, and in times of persecution. In verse 16:1, Jesus said, “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.   

Our scripture for today is John 16:5-15. Jesus encourages the disciples and us that although he would not be physically present, we would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. The messages provides us with the “Functions of the Holy Spirit.” Follow along as I read.

Jesus’ words must have sounded like a jumble of puzzle pieces to the bewildered disciples. After announcing His imminent departure from the earth (John 13:33; 14:1–6), He urged His followers to obey His commandments (14:12–15; 15:1–11), to love one another (15:12–17), and to beware of the hostility of the world (15:18–27). While offering these predictions, promises, and commands, Jesus alluded to the coming of the Holy Spirit to teach believers all they would need to know (14:16–17, 26; 15:26). But these passing references could only have been perplexing. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was reserved for kings and prophets, and occasionally for regular people when the Lord wanted to accomplish something extraordinary. The idea that the Spirit of God would indwell each believer was unthinkable—an unbelievable extravagance of which no one was worthy. The disciples’ heads must have been spinning.

Although the disciples didn’t ask about the Holy Spirit—they were too preoccupied with the thought of Jesus going away,—the Lord returned to this particular promise to clarify His role in the lives of the disciples…and the lives of believers throughout all time.

Jesus lamented that the disciples were so preoccupied with their own security that they were not the least curious about Jesus’ immediate future. It was all about themselves and their plans for the future. The next few days would see the most momentous events in human history, which would inaugurate the age of grace, the beginning of the universal church on earth, and the worldwide spread of the gospel. After His unspeakable suffering, Jesus would receive inexpressible glory. Naturally, he wanted to share all of this with His companions, but more than that, He wanted them to be interested.

Nevertheless, Jesus attended to their sorrow-filled hearts. The Greek term translated in verse 6, “grief,” means “deep pain,” which can be physical or emotional. Pain filled the hearts of the disciples, who felt like spiritual orphans. All they could think of was losing Him.

Jesus soothed their pain with a wonderful truth. The Lord’s physical presence would be replaced by something far superior. Whereas Jesus in the flesh could be in only one place at a time, the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at once. Limited access to the presence of God would give way to continual communion with Him. Teaching through physical means would take place directly within the heart. Far from being abandoned, the disciples would experience the presence of God like never before.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Master explained, would be twofold: His ministry to the world (16:8–11) and His ministry to believers (16:13–15).

The Greek verb translated “prove to the world” (NIV) and “convict” (NLT) has a wide range of meanings outside the New Testament, including “to scorn,” “to bring into contempt,” and “to rebuke.” However, New Testament writers restricted the definition to one: “he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin.” The Holy Spirit confronts the world concerning three primary topics: “sin” (people’s guilt), “righteousness” (people’s helplessness), and “judgment” (people’s destiny). Of sin, we are all guilty. As to righteousness, we are powerless to help ourselves. Consequently, our eternal destiny is dreadful without divine help.

“Sin” (hamartia) refers to one’s inability or unwillingness to do as God commands, resulting in guilt before Him. Jesus died to pay the penalty of sin for the whole world, but only those who believe in Him have appropriated His sacrifice and, therefore, stand guiltless before the Father. Those who do not believe in Christ remain in their sin and must answer for their choices (16:9).

 

“Righteousness” (dikaiosunē) refers to one’s legal standing before God as “not guilty.” In this context, Jesus relates the issue of righteousness to His “going to the Father.” Throughout His ministry, Jesus claimed oneness with the Father, for which the world (the religious leaders) accused Him of sin, deceit, and blasphemy (5:18; 7:12; 9:16, 24; 10:33). His going to the Father is the ultimate vindication of Christ’s righteousness over that of the world. The Holy Spirit will confront humanity with the righteousness of the Son (16:10).

“Judgment” (krisis) refers to one’s life and character being sifted to determine one’s moral worth. Jesus repeatedly stated that He did not come to judge but that individuals would reveal themselves by their response to truth incarnate (3:17–18; 5:22–23; 12:48). By virtue of Christ’s vindication, Satan has been sifted and found wanting. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will confront humanity concerning its choice for Satan instead of the Son (16:11).

Interestingly, the confrontation of the Holy Spirit does not appear to be directly within the hearts of nonbelievers. He may do this; however, that is not what Jesus was teaching here. In 16:7–8, Jesus said, “I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” The context of 16:8–11 is the coming of the Holy Spirit “to you.” In other words, the Holy Spirit will confront the world from within and through believers. Those of the world do not have the Holy Spirit active within them in this way.

The child of God living on this earth, empowered by the Spirit of God, is a living letter observed by the world. As the world witnesses the child of God being controlled by the Spirit, the world observes a life undergoing transformation. The Holy Spirit confronts the world through His activity in believers.

Jesus acknowledged the limitations of both time and the ability of the disciples to receive more truth. Their concern for themselves prevented them from absorbing more information concerning their mission after Jesus’ departure. Furthermore, their minds could not comprehend the spiritual truths He wanted to impart without the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he promised further revelation of truth through the Holy Spirit.

One of many distinctions between “the world” and “His own” is how the Holy Spirit ministers. His ministry to the world convicts to bring about repentance. But on the other hand, his ministry to believers is to bring about obedience through transformation.

The Spirit accomplishes His mission of believer transformation by bringing divine truth to the minds of His own. Before Scripture had been written, He revealed truth directly to certain people: prophets in the Old Testament, prophets and apostles in the New Testament. Once John, the last living apostle, completed the final written communication from God, the book of Revelation, humanity had received all the divine truth needed to live obediently. The Spirit’s ministry is to call Scripture to mind, illumine its meaning, couple it with experience, and apply it. We participate in the Holy Spirit’s transformation process by exercising spiritual disciplines (such as prayer, worship, service, evangelism, etc.).

How were the disciples to know when the Spirit of God was bringing them new revelation? How were they to distinguish the thoughts of God from their imaginations? According to Jesus, revelation from the Holy Spirit would always “glorify” the Son. As we discovered in our study of 13:31–38, the Greek word for “glory” is doxa, which derives from the verb meaning “to believe, to think.” To be glorified is to be revealed in such a way as to be considered good. To be glorified is to be vindicated in the eyes of all witnesses. Therefore, the concept of glory in Jesus’ vocabulary means that the truth He had been teaching, and the truth of His identity would be vindicated in the eyes of all humanity. He promised that the Holy Spirit would only bring new revelation consistent with what Jesus Himself had already taught, and that the Spirit’s ministry would always serve to prove the Son genuine. Therefore, if someone claims to have a new revelation contrary to Scripture, it is not from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit probably didn’t do much to calm the troubled minds of the eleven disciples. The gift of the Holy Spirit would have been beyond their comprehension, not unlike it is for us—only in reverse. We cannot fathom life without Him; therefore, taking His indwelling wisdom for granted is easy. If we want to know what life would be like as believers left alone, we must observe the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection and before Pentecost. They were dull of mind and weak of spirit; fearful, confused, doubting, despondent, aimless, and passive.

Consequently, Jesus instructed them to wait upon the arrival of the Holy Spirit before attempting ministry Acts 1:4, “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.’” When the Spirit of God filled the believers, everything changed. The book of Acts describes the rise of the church as believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to change the world.

Jesus gave us the task of proclaiming the good news to a hostile world and sharing His love for the lost—an impossible mission without divine help! Fortunately, He did not leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin. I find two practical principles in this scripture section that help clarify our calling so we might more faithfully obey.

First, in convicting the world, the Spirit desires to use us as change agents. The Spirit of God doesn’t use buildings, pulpits, or symbols to convict the world. He doesn’t use nature, science, philosophy, or even theology to convict the world. Scripture indicates that conviction comes when we, as God’s citizens, testify about him in word and, more importantly, in action. According to Jesus, the world will be convicted of sin through the evidence of the Spirit’s Fruit in our lives! The Holy Spirit uses transformed Christians as the means of confronting the world. This is not to say He has appointed us to be the world’s conscience. He has not called us to point out sins and take down names. Sometimes we must stand against wrongdoing or declare that a certain activity is sin. However, He has not deputized us as His holy police force. Instead, He convicts the world of sin by sanctifying “His own.” When people sin in groups, they cannot stand it when one of their numbers starts to do what is right. They try to pull the individual back into line and, when that fails, grow hostile toward them.

Second, in communicating the Word, the Spirit desires to see changes in us that will cause changes in the world. When the Spirit teaches, He expects to see people’s lives transformed. He often uses unpleasant circumstances to transform believers, which causes tension. Whereas we pray for God to change circumstances, He prefers to change us!

Have you ever been so overcome with anguish you feel overwhelmed with sorrow and utterly, completely, soul-despairingly alone, as if no one on earth could understand the depths of your pain? In times like these, it helps to remember that God is there and Is ready to shoulder your burdens, suffering, and distress. Not only does God understand and see you in the center of your pain, but He’s available for you, listening and ready as you cry out your heartache, anger, or sadness.

Some of the Psalms are classified as “Lament Psalms.” They will typically begin with the psalmist on his face, begging for change. Everything has broken loose, his life has fallen apart, he’s surrounded and afflicted, and he has run out of options. Yet, amazingly, by the end, he’s praising God for His goodness. Nothing about the man’s circumstances had changed from when he began writing until completing the composition. Instead, worshiping God changed the psalmist. He was changed deep within. Psalm 130 is an excellent example of one for the nation of Israel.

I call for your help.

 Hear my cry, O Lord.

Pay attention to my prayer.

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness,

that we might learn to fear you.

yes, I am counting on him.

I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord

more than sentries long for the dawn,

yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

for with the Lord there is unfailing love.

His redemption overflows.

He himself will redeem Israel

from every kind of sin.

Chuck Swindoll tells this story to help illustrate this. “Many years ago, I received a letter from a church member who had endured the worst year imaginable. His wife left him and took their children with her. Challenges in his business brought pressures he had never known before. He was quickly running out of options. In his letter, he admitted, ‘With enemies all around, I suddenly discovered through the information I got from God’s Word that I could love those who hate me, and I didn’t have to live with the acid of resentment eating away in me. I learned that I could pray for my wife and love her just as I loved the little ones she has taken from me.’ He concluded by saying, ‘These have been the hardest circumstances I’ve ever known, but I am transformed. Praise God.’”

This man became an agent of divine change in his world sector by allowing the Word and the Spirit to change him from within. That is the work of the Holy Spirit within us and through us to impact our world. When we are transformed, we become channels of God’s transformation of the world. As we are changed, we become divine agents of change in the world.

Next, Jesus provides us with Three Words to Keep Us Going. Please read John 16:16-33 in preparation.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2168 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we explore the wisdom of the ages in the Book of Proverbs. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 2:1-11 from the New Living Translation. This passage delves into the pursuit of wisdom and its immense value in our lives. So, let’s embark on this journey of discovery together!

First, Proverbs 2:1-5 reads:

In these verses, we find the key to unlocking the treasure trove of wisdom - a process that requires intention, diligence, and a heart eager to learn.

The passage begins with a loving call from a parent to their child. It’s an invitation to listen, not just with our ears but our hearts. By treasuring and obeying wisdom’s commands, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of life and its mysteries.

Tune your ears to wisdom, the passage advises. This means we must be attentive and receptive to the teachings of wisdom, both from God’s Word and from the experiences and insights of those who have walked before us.

But it doesn’t stop there. The pursuit of wisdom requires action on our part. We’re encouraged to actively seek understanding, cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

Imagine searching for valuable treasures like silver or precious gems. It requires effort, determination, and a clear focus. In the same way, seeking wisdom should be a relentless pursuit, one that we value above all else.

As we move further into the passage, verses 6-8 reveal the rewards of diligently seeking wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6-8 says:

Here, we see that wisdom is a gift from God Himself. It is not something we can obtain solely through human effort; rather, it is granted by the Lord. When we diligently seek wisdom, we tap into the divine source of knowledge and understanding.

Moreover, wisdom comes with practical benefits. It provides us with common sense and discernment, enabling us to navigate life’s complexities with integrity and honesty.

It’s important to note that wisdom is not just theoretical knowledge. It’s a guide that leads us on the paths of righteousness and protects us as we walk in faithfulness to God.

As we come to the final verses of the passage, 9-11, we gain further insights into the profound impact of wisdom on our lives.

Proverbs 2:9-11 proclaims:

and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

 Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

These verses reinforce that true wisdom is a gift from the Lord. We cannot achieve it through worldly pursuits but through a deep relationship with Him.

Wisdom, in essence, acts as a shield and protection for those who choose to walk in integrity and faithfulness. It guards us against the pitfalls of foolishness and the enemy’s snares.

As we conclude this episode, let’s reflect on Proverbs 2:1-11. The pursuit of wisdom is a journey worth undertaking. By listening, treasuring God’s commands, and actively seeking understanding, we open ourselves up to the abundant blessings of wisdom. Remember, as we seek wisdom, we draw closer to the heart of God and navigate life’s challenges with greater insight and discernment.

Please subscribe or follow Wisdom-Trek so each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically, and then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2167 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of Wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today we continue with a new wisdom segment called Wisdom Nuggets which will be published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We will continue to publish our extended series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years on Tuesday and Thursday.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is taken from the Book of Proverbs 1:20-33. I will read the passage as segments and then dive in on the content. Let’s begin.

In these verses, we encounter a vivid personification of wisdom as a wise and caring woman, calling out to all who will listen.

The first thing we notice is the setting in which wisdom is calling out. Not in some hidden or hard-to-reach place but right in the midst of the city, where people gather and interact. Wisdom is not reserved for a select few; it’s available to everyone, regardless of background or status.

The call of wisdom is not just a one-time message. She persistently cries out, longing for people to embrace knowledge and understanding. It’s as if wisdom pleads with us, “How long will you remain stuck in ignorance and mock the truth? Come, learn from me, and I will make you wise.”

Moving on to verses 24-27, we witness the consequences of ignoring wisdom’s call.

These verses paint a poignant picture of the unfortunate outcome of rejecting wisdom. The consequences of our choices, shaped by our refusal to heed wisdom’s counsel, can lead us into distress and calamity.

It’s essential to remember that wisdom doesn’t impose herself on us. She stands at the ready, offering guidance, but we must embrace her and incorporate her teachings into our lives.

The passage doesn’t end on a note of despair, though. Verses 28-33 present a glimmer of hope for those who turn and listen to wisdom’s voice.

Here, we find a powerful lesson about the consequences of our choices. If we persist in rejecting wisdom and choosing our way, we may find ourselves reaping the bitter fruit of our actions.

However, there’s hope for those who listen and seek wisdom’s counsel. The passage assures us that those who heed wisdom’s call will find peace and security in their lives, untroubled by fear.

As we conclude this episode, let’s take a moment to reflect on Proverbs 1:20-33. The call of wisdom is open to all, and it’s up to us to listen and embrace her teachings. Ignoring wisdom’s call can lead us down a path of distress and hardship, but choosing to listen can bring us peace and understanding.

Thank you for joining us today on Wisdom-Trek. We pray this journey into Proverbs 1:20-33 has inspired you to dive deeper into the book of Proverbs and seek its timeless wisdom. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more Wisdom Nuggets as we continue exploring Proverbs’ treasures for biblical wisdom. Until next time, may you walk in the path of wisdom and grow in understanding.

Please subscribe or follow Wisdom-Trek so each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically, and then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Today we continue our Good News series according to John the Apostle. Last week, Jesus taught us to keep his command to love one another, and in doing so, we would be elevated to the status of being His friend, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

As Jesus's friend, and with the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, taking up residence in us, we will have the strength to endure, even when the world hates us, and we may suffer persecution for our faith. Our scripture for today is John 15:18 -16:4.

As I prepared this message, I had to reflect on how best to apply it to today's church. Most commentaries want to frame it in the light of persecution in the end times, but that stretches the context of this passage, which focuses on the persecution the disciples would soon face. I think the best lesson this passage for us today is that in times of peace or persecution, as citizens of God's kingdom, our lives should reflect the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

That being said, without a doubt, the constitution of the United States of America was crafted based on Judeo-Christian principles, and although the founding members of our nation had many flaws, many were also of the same mindset.

Because of this, many Christians felt that we were, or are, a Christian nation. I do my best not to be political in my messages because our focus as citizens of God's kingdom is to share the Good News we have been learning in John. While it appears that the tide is shifting away from God more rapidly each day for the United States, and in many Western nations, the church worldwide is still flourishing and growing like never before. The countries where the kingdom of God is growing most rapidly have much less freedom than we do in the US. Some countries have little freedom to worship, yet God's kingdom continues to flourish. While I pray that we will see the tide turn back toward Biblical precepts in our country and throughout the world, since the time of Christ, the church has always blossomed amidst persecution. Now, if God calls us as believers to take on an active in turning that tide back to a country based on Biblical precepts, we must do so while demonstrating the Fruit of the Spirit to everyone we come in contact with.

Instead of resorting to name calling, corrupt politics, rioting, and constantly trying to destroy anyone who disagrees, wouldn't it be refreshing to see our elected representative display Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

God expects this fruit to be self-evident in everyone who claims to be a citizen of His Kingdom.

So these questions for each of us are the basis of our message today. If outright persecution of Christians comes to our nation, will you maintain your stand for Christ? Will your life demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit? Will you love those who hate and persecute you? The words of Jesus should be particularly relevant to us. We, like the disciples, receive these words during a time of relative peace and security. But our future is no less sure than theirs was on the eve of Jesus' arrest. As the Savior prepared the remaining eleven disciples for ministry after His physical departure from the world, He urged them to draw strength from God through obedience and to nurture one another in the same kind of love shared within the Trinity. But He also wanted to prepare the disciples for the reality of persecution that would soon come. While final victory is assured, the followers of Jesus are soldiers in a great conflict between two supernatural realms: the kingdom of God and the world system ruled by Satan-the forces of light and darkness (John 1:5; 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:36; 1 Jn. 1:5-7; 2:8-11; Rev. 21:23-24; 22:5).

We live in an age worldwide with more freedom and equality than ever before. Although, as an eternal optimist, I see a possible future for the world where lives worldwide are lifted to a higher standard of living with advances in technology, knowledge, and communications, we do not know what lies between now and when Jesus Christ will return to usher in the Kingdom. So we must plan for the best, while preparing spiritually for persecution as Christians, should it come.

In this passage, we will discover answers to four questions concerning the nature of this conflict and our role as believers in the midst of it:

Who will side with the world system against God's kingdom?

What will the enemies of God's kingdom do?

Why is it a possibility that this conflict may take place?

How shall we conduct ourselves during the conflict?

Jesus identified the enemy of God's kingdom as "the world." The construction of the Greek sentence and the use of the term translated in verse 18 as "if the world hates you" indicates that the condition is assumed to be true. This would be like a man saying, "If the sun comes up tomorrow, I'll be playing golf" In other words, the man will be on the fairways the following day. Therefore, we can substitute "if" with "because."

“The world" does not mean the planet Earth, per se. Instead, "the world" represents the fallen world system, which operates according to Satan's values and is subject to the curse of sin (Gen. 3:14-19). "The world" also represents the portion of humanity that lives by this system's values and willingly serves its ends. Jesus originally came to redeem the world (John 3:17; 12:47), but He was rejected by the world (3:18; 12:48); therefore, He began to separate "His own" from the world (10:14, 26-27; 13:1; 15:19). His crucifixion would formally declare the dividing line between the kingdoms of God and the kingdom of this world controlled by Satan. Jesus's resurrection would demand a choice from each individual.

While there is still some tolerance in most countries for believers, when push comes to shove, we may find that the world either loves or hates, with little neutral ground. The world loves or hates depending on whether one agrees with it. The world's disposition is primarily conditional. As we see more and more, tolerance is only one-sided. Some claim tolerance, but only as long as you agree with them. Unfortunately, we also see many of the same traits within the ranks of those who claim to be Christians. This should not be. We should be distinctively different, even to the point of persecution, if necessary, to build God's kingdom. Yes, the world system may be arrogant, rude, unkind, immoral, hateful, and have nothing to do with God. We should be distinctively different, exemplifying the Fruit of the Spirit. How will we -reach the world for God's kingdom if there is no difference? The kingdom of God is growing each day, but it will not be fully complete until Christ returns. (Already, but not yet) The world system is in opposition to God's kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21).

Yes, many higher education institutions and many in the political spectrum attempt to influence and control the world mindset. They are antithetical to God. They would like to have Him removed from the modern narrative. However, we should not be shocked by this. Jesus said, have chosen you out of the world. He chose us to be citizens of God's kingdom. So we should not be surprised if we do face persecution. As long as we live free, we can work to make a difference and stop persecution. If there are legal, non-violent methods to combat this persecution, we should avail ourselves of them, but in the Spirit of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love. The fruit of the world is hatred and persecution. Jesus promised His closest followers that persecution would be their reward in the world. The Greek term translated "persecute" means "to put to flight," or "to pursue." In persecution, hatred becomes deliberate, not merely coincidental. The world will pursue Christians for the sake of venting its hatred.

It is interesting, though, that persecution in Jesus's day was first concentrated in the house of God under the guise of true devotion and religion. From there, it spread throughout the government of Rome. Before Jesus came to earth, the world's hatred had little opportunity for expression. It had killed the Lord's prophets, polluted His words, ignored His warnings, and turned His house into a den of robbers, but a case could be made-however thin, for doubt or misunderstanding. But when God presented Himself in person, in the flesh of humanity, and fulfilled every messianic expectation, He left all of humanity no excuse for rejecting Him. The flesh of God's Son became the occasion for "the world" - those who reject Christ-to expose their hatred for their Creator and, thus, consummate their sin.

Jesus explained the reason for the world's war on the kingdom of God: because believers are not of the world and the world hates what is not of it (15:19), and because the world does not acknowledge (or "know") God as its sovereign (15:21) and therefore rejects Christ as His emissary. Furthermore, the world persecutes believers to fulfill its destiny (15:25). The world is constitutionally predisposed to hate anything associated with God; therefore, it cannot behave any other way.

The earthly ministry of Jesus is one grand illustration of this truth, which John foreshadowed in the prologue of his narrative (1:5, 8-11).

The Lord's abrupt mention of the Holy Spirit was purposeful. The Spirit's role in the believer's life is to provide supernatural courage in the face of persecution. Suffering often brings doubt. The Holy Spirit will testify to the truth of Jesus Christ within believers and through believers to their persecutors and others who witness their persecution.

Jesus explained the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and the plan of God to proclaim the truth in the world. But speaking of the Father and Son as separate beings concerning the Spirit is inappropriate. The Father, Son, and Spirit are three persons and one God.

John 16:1-4 narrative belongs with chapter 15, but unfortunately, it was split when chapter and verse designation centuries later were added.

"All this I have told you" refers to everything Jesus had to say about the believer's relationship with the world, which is strained at best, hostile at other times, and can become deadly. Jesus revealed this to the disciples so they would not be startled and stumble in their spiritual walk. However, as with many of Jesus' lessons, they did not take heed, and all stumbled and fell. Upon His arrest, they fled. During His crucifixion, most hid. Before His resurrection, all despaired. After His resurrection, they doubted. And before the coming of the Holy Spirit, they faltered. Only after receiving the Holy Spirit did they act decisively and speak boldly.

Jesus predicted the scourge of religion upon the backs of genuine believers.

Indeed, religious people would kill believers thinking they were pleasing the Lord. An example is Paul, who later became an apostle: He was among the crowd of religious authorities who murdered the first Christian martyr, Stephen (Acts 7:54- 8:1).

This verse concludes the Lord's teaching in this section. It also transitions the conversation away from the inevitable persecution after Jesus' departure, toward the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord recognized that His words would have little meaning at the time; the disciples still did not understand what was about to happen or why. But at the appropriate time, His words would come to mind and help them make sense of the tribulation they faced. They wouldn't have to wonder. Are we struggling through persecution because of some failure on our part? No, persecution was expected, a normal consequence of living in hostile territory during the great conflict between good and evil, between the Lord representing the Kingdom of God and the ruler of this world, Satan.

Although Christ may return without persecution to all sectors of Christianity worldwide, we should spiritually prepare that it may happen. Because of the 24/7 news cycles and the social media platforms, it is more evident today, than it has been for many decades. The line between satire and spite is surprisingly thin.

Humor at the expense of any particular group invites hatred, and hatred blazes a trail for persecution. Unfortunately, we see it on both fringes of the political spectrum. As citizens of God's kingdom, we must be careful not to get swept up in the melee of the political rhetoric that is so prevalent today. We should not be surprised if we are again headed for a time of persecution. It has happened repeatedly throughout all of recorded history. Jesus warns us in today's passage.

Christians in the Western world have enjoyed a long period of relative peace and remarkable authority founded on Biblical precepts, particularly in the United States. But we must accept that this has been in the greater scheme of world history. Our summer in the sun could give way to the dark of winter. Yet, if the Church lives as citizens of God's Kingdom worldwide and our lives show forth the Fruit of the Spirit in all our interactions with the world, we can still have a powerful impact and stave off some persecution.

In either scenario, it should not change who we are and how we should live. We must prepare ourselves either way. Jesus explained how He prepared His disciples for the problematic hours before them.

First, rely upon the Holy Spirit to supply wisdom, abilities, and courage. "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father­ the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father-he will testify about me.” He promised the Spirit would provide all believers what they need to bear witness of Jesus Christ faithfully.

Second, faithfully proclaim divine truth and stand firm (15:27). While battling immorality and pursuing social justice is commendable, our primary mission is to "testify." And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. The only effective weapon against evil is truth. The Holy Spirit will bring knowledge of Jesus Christ to mind and enable us to communicate His truth while still displaying the Fruit of the Spirit. Standing for truth may bring persecution. The Holy Spirit will supply supernatural courage to endure evil with dignity.

Third, keep from being trapped by evil (16:1). The Greek verb translated as "fall away" is skandalizo. The main idea carried by the term is "closing on something," like a spring-loaded rabbit trap. It later became the word of choice for deliberately placing a trip hazard in the path of another to cause a fall. I like the NLT of 16:1,"I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.” Jesus urged His disciples to abide (remain), that is, obey His command to love one another, to avoid falling into the world's trap. When we fail to love one another, we behave like the world, which serves ourselves at the expense of others.

Fourth, never forget that persecution may come, and the rise of evil is likely (16:4). Jesus warned His disciples that evil would appear to enjoy victory upon His death and burial. Still, His suffering was part of the divine plan to redeem humanity from the beginning. He suffered and died to atone for humanity's sin, not because of any specific failure by the remaining eleven disciples.

We must never forget that evil will enjoy short-term victories, but Christ has already conquered evil, sin, disease, suffering, death, and decay. Persecution may come, and even if it becomes fatal, death is not the end of life. The resurrection awaits, and we will exist beyond the world's reach and affliction. We must never forget that, one day, Christ will return to defeat all evil and restore His kingdom, that Global Eden. He was vindicated through His resurrection; we will be vindicated through resurrection.

As citizens of God's kingdom, we are asked to endure persecution for proclaiming Christ. At times it does appear that we have to live in a world and culture that is becoming increasingly upside down, and at odds with

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2165 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of Wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today we continue with a new wisdom segment called Wisdom Nuggets which will be published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We will continue to post our extended series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years on Tuesday and Thursday.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is taken from the Book of Proverbs 1:8-19. I will read the passage first, and then we will dive in on the content. Let’s begin.

Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck.

turn your back on them!

11 They may say, “Come and join us.

Let’s hide and kill someone!

Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave;

let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

13 Think of the great things we’ll get!

We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

14 Come, throw in your lot with us;

we’ll all share the loot.”

Stay far away from their paths.

16 They rush to commit evil deeds.

They hurry to commit murder.

17 If a bird sees a trap being set,

it knows to stay away.

18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;

they are trying to get themselves killed.

19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;

it robs them of life.

In these verses, we witness a powerful contrast between the trek of wisdom, represented by the guidance of parents, and the trek of wickedness, portrayed by the enticement of sinners.

The passage begins with a tender plea from a parent to the child, emphasizing the value of listening and learning from the parent’s correction and instruction. This parental advice is not meant to stifle or control but to instill wisdom and honor in the child.

In ancient times, the parent’s teachings were highly esteemed. They were considered the custodians of practical knowledge, morals, and values. The instruction received from parents was like a crown of grace, adorning the child with wisdom and bestowing honor upon them.

As we move further into the passage, a stark warning emerges - a call to resist the allure of wickedness and the temptation to follow the ways of sinners. The enticement may come in various forms, trying to lure us away from the path of righteousness.

The sinners in this passage propose committing heinous acts, showing no regard for the sanctity of life. They are driven by greed and the pursuit of material gain, seeking to satisfy their selfish desires without concern for the consequences.

The chilling words used by the sinners reveal their callousness and disregard for morality. They promise rewards, but it’s a deceitful promise that leads to destruction.

The true essence of wisdom lies in discerning between right and wrong, good and evil. It is in the child’s best interest to avoid the enticement of sinners and instead choose the path of wisdom, even if it means standing alone.

As we reflect on these verses, we can draw valuable lessons that are as relevant today as they were in ancient times. The guidance of parents and elders can shape us into people of honor, integrity, and wisdom. Their teachings can become a moral compass in a world that often confuses right from wrong.

Furthermore, we must recognize the seductive nature of wickedness still surrounding us. It can manifest in various forms, attempting to sway us away from our values and principles. However, by grounding ourselves in wisdom, we can resist these temptations and stay on the path of righteousness.

As we conclude today’s episode, I encourage you to reflect on Proverbs 1:8-19. Let it serve as a reminder to embrace the wisdom offered by those who care for us and to be vigilant against the allure of wickedness.

Thank you for joining us today on Wisdom-Trek. We pray this journey into Proverbs 1:8-19 has inspired you to dive deeper into the book of Proverbs and seek its timeless wisdom. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more Wisdom Nuggets as we continue exploring Proverbs’ treasures for biblical wisdom. Until next time, may you walk in the path of wisdom and grow in understanding.

Please subscribe so each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically, and then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

The Gospel of John – Part 4 Confirmation Of The Word – Qualities Of A Friend

Today we continue our Good News series according to John the Apostle. In our last lesson in John, Jesus taught us through the allegory of the vine and branches. The emphasis was on bearing fruit by staying attached to the main vine so that we could receive the nourishment of the Holy Spirit. To do this, we must remain in Christ as we read in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Our scripture for today is John 15:12-17. Jesus gives us the command to “Love each other.” Follow along as I read.

Let me start with a story today. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a lonely genius. Born to aging parents in Devonshire, England, the youngest of ten children, he did not receive the love most children are given and, therefore, never had the opportunity to cultivate close relationships. His father died before his tenth birthday, after which he was sent to a boarding school notorious for its harsh treatment, and then to live with various family members. Nevertheless, his caretakers did recognize his exceptional intellect and enrolled him at Cambridge, where he quickly distinguished himself as a scholar.

Coleridge became known for three notable habits in school: voracious reading, prolific writing, and radical thinking. Eventually, his philosophical pursuits led him away from his father’s faith and away from Cambridge before graduating. He accumulated a large debt, pursued French philosophy, attempted to found a utopian society in Pennsylvania, married, divorced, became hopelessly addicted to opium, and eventually managed to estrange himself from family and friends.

Then, he met William Wordsworth, who befriended the rootless genius. This led to his most productive period of writing and publishing, during which he wrote the poems “Remorse,” “Love,” “Kubla Khan,” and his most famous work, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” The main character in this emotional autobiography laments,

Eventually, Wordsworth discontinued his relationship with Coleridge, who became excessively dependent upon opium, separated from his second wife, abandoned his children, and could no longer sustain any meaningful workload. He moved into the home of a pharmacist, James Gillman, hoping to reduce his dosage of opium, but quickly found a secondary source. Nevertheless, Gillman allowed Coleridge to remain in his family’s care for the rest of his life.

A few years before his death, Coleridge acknowledged the value of his sole friend in his poem, “Youth and Age,” which includes the line, “Friendship is a sheltering tree.”

So it appears in our lives at times. We try to make it alone, not seeing the need for close family or friends. I think this is especially true of young men. We try to prove to ourselves and the world that we are self-made. We fail to realize that we are stronger together than we are alone. The wisest man to ever live, King Solomon, wrote this in Ecclesiastes 4:11-12, “Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” As I have grown in wisdom, I see that Jesus, the most capable, mature man who ever lived, sought out the companionship of twelve men and cultivated close friendships with a few of them. Then, on the eve of His crucifixion, He retreated into seclusion with the Twelve to share His wisdom, draw comfort, and receive support.

During His discourse on how the men and subsequent generations of disciples should conduct themselves after His departure, the Lord highlighted the importance of close friends. These sheltering trees spread their protection with four branches:

A disregard for personal sacrifice (15:13)

A dedication to mutual aims (15:14)

A mutual confidentiality (15:15)

A shared desire for success (15:16)

The commandments Jesus referenced in 15:10 are embodied in this one “new” command (13:34; cf. Matt. 22:37–40; Mark 12:29–34). He commanded believers to love one another: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

In the worldly sense, the command sounds impossible to accomplish. How can we possibly love someone we barely know and for whom we have no feelings? The world’s concept of love is self-oriented, performance-based, and driven by fickle sentiment. It is conditional love. People fall into and out of love as though it were a random,~ mysterious force that affects two minds for a season and may fade as quickly as it came. That is not the type of love Jesus’s command was referring to. Love is always a choice, one that we must make each day.

The Greek word here is not fickle erōs, or even heartfelt philia but agape. In Jesus’s day, agape love was “A New Kind of Love.” Agapē often involves deep feeling, but it begins with a decision. Agapē doesn’t consider merit and doesn’t wait for inspiration. Agapē is the kind of love God exemplifies, especially in relationship with His Son.

Moreover, the verb tense is “imperfect,” which suggests repeated or ongoing action: “keep loving one another.” And the quality of that love must be the same as the love we receive from Christ. He is our example and our standard.

The Lord then described this love in practical terms, giving four examples, listed in the bulletin, followed by a repetition of the command (John 15:17).

While this verse has in view the act of Jesus dying in the place of all humanity, His sacrifice illustrates an important principle. The ultimate example of love for another is the willingness to prioritize that person’s life more than one’s own. Charles Dickens incorporated this in his novel A Tale of Two Cities, whose characters were caught up in the swirling insanity and rampant bloodshed of the French Revolution. In the final scene, the selfless lawyer, Sydney Carton, took his friend’s place on the guillotine to secure his safety. Onlookers recalled Carton’s serene expression as he climbed the steps of the scaffold, saying in effect, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

 

This ultimate sacrifice is the ultimate expression of love; however, we are unlikely to face such a choice. More often, we are asked to give up our lives in small measures, day by day, rather than in one grand gesture. And in many ways, this is more difficult. For example, love for a friend doesn’t keep a record of sacrifice; this love values the other more than the self, so that sacrifice becomes a minor significance. This kind of love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

This statement involves a condition. If we do as Jesus commands, we are identified as Jesus’s friends and recipients of His sacrifice (15:13). This does not suggest we must obey perfectly; after all, we are not able. Instead, this speaks of our intent to pursue His aims by following His instructions.

A soldier on the battlefield supports the mission by following the orders the commanding officer gives—even if he dies before accomplishing his task. If he deliberately disobeys, then he undermines the mission. So it is with us. We are Jesus’s friends when we support His aims.

This use of philos “friend” or “comrade,” is unusual concerning Jesus, who is usually addressed as “Lord,” “Master,” “Rabbi,” or “my God.” Philos, in this context, suggests a peer relationship. However, we certainly cannot claim equality with Christ, even when we eventually see Him face to face and are made to be like Him (1 John 3:2). “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” The relationship is one in which Jesus elevates us to a higher standing than we deserve; nevertheless, His superiority is never compromised.

When our oldest son Buddy was still very young, he enjoyed the company of older people more than his peers. I think he felt he was equal at times. His reading, verbal and comprehension skills were well beyond his years. But in certain areas of life, it was evident that he was not one of our peers. For instance, when we got into a car, he was reminded that he was not our peer. We had a license to drive, and he did not. We knew how to operate the vehicle while his feet could not reach the pedals. Indeed, now that our children are grown, they are our peers and friends. So it is with Christ. He elevates us to the status of “friend,” He shares the details of His redemptive plan for the world and calls us to stand beside Him in accomplishing it. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Son of God allows us complete access to His mind, freely sharing His deepest thoughts and plans. He brings us into fellowship with the Trinity, even though we are not morally perfect and do not possess divine attributes like omnipotence or omniscience. He treats us like equals even though we can never be His peers.

Genuine friendships between a husband and wife are not founded upon superficiality. Intimacy between friends affords little room for secrets. And when friends share every detail of life, regardless of how embarrassing or scandalous, opportunities for recovery, healing, and growth abound. The almighty Creator of the universe has invited us to relate to Him as a friend, to enjoy peer status with our Maker!

This verse clarifies that the relationship the Lord calls us to share with Him is reciprocal. Believers are chosen and appointed for obedience (“bearing fruit”). He commands us to love one another as He loves us and to join Him in building His kingdom. As we obey, we are transformed. As we are transformed, we begin to think with Christ’s mind and pray for what God desires to accomplish. Consequently, we experience a growing oneness with God in mind and purpose.

The Lord’s concluding command not only brackets His teaching on love in the kingdom of God; it also introduces a new concept. Jesus will describe the contrast between the kingdom of God and “the world” (15:18–27). One is characterized by love, obedience, unity, and grace, the other by hatred, selfishness, rejection, and persecution. As we study the following passage next week, the importance of our love for one another will become as apparent as a light shining in the darkness.

The love relationship that characterizes the oneness of the Trinity is the same kind of love relationship the Lord desires for His own. Furthermore, our love for one another allows us to receive the love of God. The opposite is also true. We cannot know the love of God if we do not love the people He sent His Son to save (1 Jn. 3:10). “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” Failing to love one another makes us like a world characterized by hate. Jesus leaves no middle ground between love and hate. We must choose one or the other.

By the end of his life, Samuel Taylor Coleridge entertained a steady stream of admirers, but years of addiction to opium left him with only one genuine friend. James Gillman became Coleridge’s sheltering tree.

As noted above, we learn from the Lord’s discussion on love that a sheltering friend spreads their protection with four branches.

A disregard for personal sacrifice. To sacrifice means to forfeit something without the expectation of anything in return. The sole motivation for sacrifice must be the highest, greatest good of the other person. Therefore, do not sacrifice anything you are unwilling to lose. Do not sacrifice anything unless you are willing to receive nothing in return and to have your sacrifice taken for granted. After all, grace probably isn’t grace without the possibility of it being abused. If you are unwilling to sacrifice without hard feelings, it is better not to offer that kindness and admit that the trust shared in your friendship is not yet deep enough.

A dedication to mutual aims. Genuine friendships are founded upon shared values. Individual goals might differ for two friends; however, their objectives do not conflict and ultimately honor the same principles. For example, Paula and I have two distinct personalities, and are quite different in many ways. We have different strengths and weaknesses. I am a morning person; Paula is not. I process internally; Paula is a verbal processor. Paula is detailed focus; I am much more big picture. But our values and aims are closely aligned. We are both very frugal. We had similar upbringings focused on living a life for God, engrained by our parents. We desire to live godly lives, and impact our world for God’s kingdom. A dedication to mutual purposes does not require friends to pursue identical goals in the same manner. However, they do support one another.

A mutual confidentiality. Holding the confidence of another involves keeping private matters with absolute discretion. Moreover, sharing confidence requires complete honesty between friends. I trust only a few people to give me honest counsel when sorting through my plans. I depend upon them to share their honest thoughts, especially when they disagree with my approach. And, most difficult of all, I strongly consider their advice, even when I am not yet convinced they are right. Let me restate that another way, because this is crucial: The most significant test of trust in friendship is when you are willing to heed their counsel before you are thoroughly convinced. If they tell you a specific course of action is unwise or unjust, you need to consider avoiding that approach regardless of how convinced you are. I don’t mean to say that every decision is made by majority rule; however, when you trust these few friends to steer you around your blind spots, you know they are genuine friends.

A shared desire for success. Friends, don’t undermine your efforts. On the contrary, friends want to see each other achieve the true desires of their hearts, and they help one another achieve those goals. Friends encourage, challenge, guide, critique, celebrate, and supplement each other.

Each of these four qualities should be applied to healthy relationships, in which each friend has earned and preserved the trust of the other. Unfortunately, in some rare cases, selflessness, dedication, loyalty, and support can be twisted to cause more harm than good. To be a genuine friend to others, we must understand what each element does and does not entail.

As young people, most want to be popular and have as many companions as possible. We call these casual companions “friends.” But as I matured, I realized that being friendly differs from being a friend. We should be liberal with our kindness and mercy; genuine and deep friendship is costly. Therefore, choose close friends wisely because we do not have inexhaustible resources to sacrifice. We are all limited in the amount of time and emotional resources we can pour into our friends and support our friends’ lives and endeavors.

Furthermore, we cannot maintain the confidence of an infinite number of friends. So, it is understandable that your list of genuine friends is manageably short, while you can enjoy camaraderie with many and offer kindness to all.

In our passage today, we see the teachings of Jesus through the four branches of friendship. These four branches are contained within the bookends of verse 12, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you,” and verse 17, “This is my command: Love each other.”

Next, Jesus continues his lesson with his disciples and teaches them about The Promise of Persecution. Please read John 15:18-16:4 in preparation.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2163 of our trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today we begin with a new wisdom segment called Wisdom Nuggets which will be published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We will continue to post our extended series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years on Tuesday and Thursday.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is taken from the Book of Proverbs 1:1-7. I will read the passage first, and then we will dive in on the content. Let’s begin.

to help them understand the insights of the wise.

3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

These verses set the stage for the entire book of Proverbs, revealing its purpose and significance in guiding our lives. Let’s break it down step by step.

Firstly, we learn that these proverbs were written by King Solomon, son of David, who was renowned for his divine wisdom. The purpose of these proverbs is twofold: to teach people wisdom and discipline and to help them understand the insights of the wise.

The wisdom found in Proverbs is not just theoretical knowledge but practical guidance for everyday living. It teaches us how to live disciplined and successful lives, to do what is right, just, and fair. Proverbs provides a moral compass that points us in the right direction in a world filled with moral ambiguity.

Moreover, these wise sayings cater to all, from the simple to the young, from the experienced to the discerning. It doesn’t matter where you are on your trek of life; Proverbs has something to offer you.

The beauty of these proverbs lies in their profound simplicity. They have the power to transform the simple into the wise and the wise into the wiser. But to gain this wisdom, one must be willing to listen and receive guidance.

The crux of these verses lies in verse 7, which is a cornerstone of the entire book: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” In other words, acknowledging and revering God as the source of all wisdom is the starting point of true understanding.

Embracing the fear of the Lord means recognizing His sovereignty and submitting to His divine guidance. It’s about humbly acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways and seeking to align our lives with His principles.

On the other hand, those who reject wisdom and discipline are labeled as fools in Proverbs. Fools are not just those lacking intellect, but those who are unwilling to listen and learn, rejecting the path of righteousness.

As we conclude our exploration of Proverbs 1:1-7, let’s remember that these verses invite us on a journey of wisdom and understanding. They challenge us to seek the fear of the Lord and embrace His guidance in our lives.

Thank you for joining us today on “Wisdom-Trek.” We pray this journey into Proverbs 1:1-7 has inspired you to dive deeper into the book of Proverbs and seek its timeless wisdom. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more Wisdom Nuggets as we continue exploring Proverbs’ treasures for biblical wisdom. Until next time, may you walk in the path of wisdom and grow in understanding.

Please encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

The Gospel of John – Part 4 Confirmation Of The Word – Abiding

Today we continue our series, the Good News according to John the Apostle. Last, we saw Jesus teaching the disciples that the way to overcome fear is to allow the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to fill us and bring peace to our hearts as we read in John 14:27, “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.”

Our scripture for today is John 15:1-11. Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson about abiding in Him. Follow along as I read.

After hearing of Jesus’ imminent departure from the world on the eve of His crucifixion, fear gripped the disciples like a steel vice. How could they possibly go on without Jesus? What would come of His kingdom? Was the Lord challenging them to build a kingdom without a king? Not exactly.

First, He promised that His going away played a crucial role in the plan of God to redeem the world and that He would return (John 14:1–15).

Second, He promised He would not leave them to fend for themselves; He would be present within them in the person of the Holy Spirit, whose role is to teach and provide courage (John 14:16–24).

Third, He promised confidence in the truth of His words and comfort in His continual presence would grow as they obeyed Him (John 14:25–31).

The disciples had placed their trust in Jesus Christ, but they lacked maturity. The Lord had taught them divine truth for three and a half years, but it had not yet been tested. The time had come for these infant Christians to walk independently. Their only hope of overcoming fear was to allow confidence in the truth of Jesus Christ to grow and gradually displace it.

In chapter 15, Jesus described three key relationships that every believer must manage if they are to cultivate confidence and rise above the consequences of the Fall, including fear, that holds us like a steel vice:

As we examine 15:1–11, four observations will help our interpretation.

First, this passage has meaning for believers only. Any nonbeliever trying to apply these truths will be hopelessly confused. Jesus was not describing how one becomes a Christian, but how one lives as a Christian after trusting Him.

Second, Jesus draws heavily on the metaphor of a vineyard, a powerful symbol with roots running deep into the soil of Israel’s history (Ps. 80:8–9; Isa. 5:1–7; Ezek. 15:1–5; Hos. 10:1). No illustration touched the Hebrew soul like the image of a vinedresser and his vineyard.

Third, the primary subject of Christ’s teaching is abiding, not bearing fruit. At no point in the discourse is the believer commanded to produce fruit. Instead, we are promised that if we abide, fruit will result.

Fourth, Jesus’s illustration would have been familiar to every disciple and virtually all of John’s readers, but unfamiliar to most of us today. Therefore, we must be careful not to milk every detail for symbolic meaning. Illustrations allow us to see the big picture—that must be our focus here.

The image of a vine and vinedresser (gardener) touchingly illustrated God’s special care for the nation of Israel, which gave the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel a perfect image for their stinging rebukes (Isa. 5:1–7; Ezek. 15:1–5). God had planted Israel in the Promised Land to reveal His Word and teach all nations about His grace. Israel was to flourish as a living example of how obedience bears the fruit of righteousness. Moreover, the Lord promised to bless Israel as the nation’s relationship of trust grew stronger. But Israel failed.

By declaring Himself the “true vine,” Jesus replaced Israel, claiming to be the authentic, healthy vineyard the nation had failed to become (Isa. 5:1–7). Just as the Father had tended the failed vineyard of Israel, He would tend the flourishing vineyard of the Son.

Jesus then summarized the care a vinedresser gives to a vine. The Greek verb airō, translated as “cuts off,” has the primary definition of “to lift from the ground,” although the term can and often does mean “to lift with a view to carrying, to carry off or put away.” John has used airō in both senses: “cuts off” (John 11:39, 48; 16:22; 17:15) and “to lift up” (5:8–12; 8:59). Therefore, a strong case for either definition can be made.

I favor the definition “to lift up” for several reasons. First, these two verses summarize the illustration, describing the general care of a vinedresser nurturing a vine. Vinedressers are rarely seen cutting off branches during the growing season. (Apple example) Instead, they carry a bundle of strings and a pair of pruning shears as they work their way down a row. They carefully lift sagging branches and tie them to the trellis—a procedure called “training.” They also strategically snip smaller shoots from branches to maximize their fruit yield, called “pruning.”

I favor “to lift up” for a second reason. A combination of “cuts off” and “prunes” places too great an emphasis on cutting the vine when Jesus’s focus is the Father’s care during the growing season. The image of carrying off dead branches is a detail that will appear later as He refines the illustration.

The Lord reassured the disciples that they had already been pruned. The adjective translated “already clean” is based on the same verb for “prune” in 15:2. He followed this assurance with a command in some translations to “abide.” The verb rightly translated in the NIV is “to remain” or “to stay in place,” very often in reference to one’s home. Upon meeting Jesus, Andrew and John asked Him, “where are You staying (or abiding)?” (1:38). “To remain” in terms of this metaphor refers to the branch remaining connected to the vine. Branches that do not receive nourishing sap from the vine cannot produce fruit—or continue living, for that matter.

A key to understanding what Jesus meant by “to remain” is the expression “in Me,” which reflects a theological concept called “positional truth” or “identification.” The apostle Paul often described believers as “in Christ.” “Identification” describes the believer’s relationship with Christ such that God treats them as He would Jesus.

Imagine driving to the front gate of Buckingham Palace in London. You won’t get very far before having to turn around. Without the proper credentials, the guards will turn you away. However, if the newly appointed King Charles sent his official car to pick you up and drive you to the gate, you would receive the same treatment he does. Because you are in the King’s official vehicle, the guard will give you the same royal treatment due the monarch of Great Britain. Similarly, being “in Christ” allows the believer to share the Son’s identity. Consequently, those “in Christ” enjoy all the benefits of His relationship, including unrestricted access to the Father.

Jesus didn’t use this illustration to make any points about salvation. Instead, in 15:3, the Lord affirmed the disciples’ salvation, assuring them that God had already done His part; they were “already clean.” Then, with salvation settled, Jesus used this illustration to discuss the Christian life after salvation. He turned from the issue of position—“remain in Me”—to that of production. Once an individual chooses to believe and receives the assurance of eternal life, what is our purpose? How, then, shall we live? Like branches on a vine, we live to bear fruit (15:2).

As we examine this illustration, it is vitally important to keep two points in focus: The subject is not salvation, but vitality as a believer. The image of “fruit” in biblical literature is a common metaphor for “evidence.” Fruit proves the identity of a plant and reveals its state of health (15:8).

An expert horticulturist knows when they are looking at a pear tree instead of an apple tree just by examining its leaves and bark. Untrained observers will have difficulty identifying what kind of tree they’re observing. There’s no chance of error if the tree hangs heavy with fruit. Furthermore, good quality fruit is a strong indication of good health. Even a novice in horticulture knows that lots of lush, delicious fruit can come only from a robust and vibrant plant. A seriously sick plant cannot accomplish its purpose.

Jesus indicated that the branches are the disciples—not unbelievers—and He promised that abiding (remain in me) would inevitably lead to bearing fruit. If they remain connected to Him, they will receive nourishing sap, grow strong, and eventually bear unmistakable evidence of their identity as members of the vine (15:8). Moreover, the presence of fruit will testify to their good health in Christ. On the other hand, branches that do not bear fruit do not cease to be grapevines; however, their health becomes suspect, and their identity might be questioned. Branches that do not remain connected to the vine wither away and become good for nothing.

Christians often assume that producing fruit is their responsibility, something they must do in gratitude for what Christ has done for them. So they strive to produce fruit only to fail, pick themselves up, promise to do better, try again, and then continue this wretched cycle of failure. Jesus instructed His followers to focus their attention on abiding rather than production.

The interpretation of John 15:6 can cause heated debate among believers. Some have suggested that those who “do not remain in Me” are believers who have been unfaithful and have lost their salvation, and the Vinedresser decided they should be cut off and thrown away. But Jesus said that no one can be saved and then unsaved (10:27–29). Others suggest that the non-abiding branches represent those who never genuinely believed—people who reject Jesus outright or those who merely profess to believe. Again, however, Jesus’ illustration applies only to believers. We know this because John 15:2 speaks of every branch “in Me,” which presumes a relationship exists, and because 15:3 specifies Jesus’ audience as those who are “already clean.”

More likely, Jesus drew upon the imagery of Ezekiel’s illustration in 15:1-5:

The point is this: vinedressers toss disconnected branches aside because they are good for nothing. As Warren Wiersbe so succinctly states,

Jesus drew upon Ezekiel’s analogy to call believers who do not abide in Him good for nothing. We cannot produce fruit on our own. If, however, we abide in Christ, we will accomplish our created purpose and be easily identified as healthy members of God’s family (John 15:8).

Jesus quickly turned from the negative to the positive. As the believer abides, or remains vitally connected to Jesus Christ, they assume a Christ-like character. The believer is transformed from the inside out. Their mind dwells on the kinds of thoughts that God thinks. The believer’s heart begins to reflect the values of God (Jer. 31:31–33). And as we think as God thinks, we ask for what is consistent with His plan, which results in His giving us what we ask.

So what does it mean to “remain in Me”? We know the analogy only applies to believers, and that abiding produces something in the believer’s life such that others can easily identify them as connected to Christ (15:8). But how does one “remain in Christ”? According to Jesus, the question is answered in one word: obedience. “Keeping commandments” and “remain in my love” are synonymous.

Take note of the parallel relationships established by Jesus. His connection with the Father is the pattern for our connection with Him. He obeys and loves the Father; we obey and love Christ. Because our relationship with Christ is just like His with the Father, we will receive the same benefit, which He called “joy.” The Greek word describes someone in a state of gladness, such as at harvesttime (4:36) or at a wedding feast (3:29). It’s an emotive word intended to be the opposite of fear.

Jesus noted the disciples’ fear of announcing His departure as the dialogue opened. He first assured them that His departure was not intended to punish their shortcomings; instead, His departure was necessary to bless them in spite of their failures (14:1–15). He then promised to be with them through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and that they would sense His continuing presence through Him (14:16–31). In addition to that reassurance, He gave us a remedy against fear and a means to experience His ongoing presence despite His physical absence: obedience (15:1–11). When we obey, confidence displaces fear (1 Jn. 2:28), resulting in joy.

If you have trusted in Christ, your eternal destiny has been set. You are chosen by God, and nothing will pluck you from His hand. Your position in Christ is secure; however, your production is another matter. If you “abide/remain” in Christ—that is, obey Him, primarily by loving others—you will enjoy four specific results.

First, prayers are answered. This is not to suggest that God will become our personal genie. The promise is conditional. If we are connected to the vine and become more like Jesus, our prayers will not be selfish, but the kind of requests He would make. Jesus received everything He requested because He and the Father are completely and consistently aligned in their thinking.

Second, God is glorified. As we model the character of Jesus, obeying His commands in the same way He obeyed those of the Father, the triune God receives all the credit. He delights to see us reflecting His character and looks for opportunities to pour His blessings on His children in response.

Third, love is stimulated. Note the absence of struggle or exertion. As we abide in Christ, the character qualities that honor the Lord begin to emerge, like grapes naturally growing from a healthy, vine-connected branch. Because God is love (1 Jn. 4:8), others will notice this divine quality developing within us.

Fourth, joy will overflow. “Joy” doesn’t refer to superficial happiness or shallow cheerfulness. On the contrary, joy is a deeply felt contentment that transcends difficult circumstances and derives maximum enjoyment from every good experience. Although it isn’t all about laughter, abiding in Christ inspires laughter as you’ve never experienced before. Moreover, deep, contented joy comes from a place of complete security and confidence—even amid trial. I once heard, “Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts, announcing that the King is in residence.”

You know, it’s even possible to pastor a church, without abiding in Christ. It’s also possible to run a business as a Christian, teach Bible classes, be a wife or a husband, and even counsel people, all without abiding in Christ. We have all probably experienced it in our lives, which is miserable. However, any good we do and any success we enjoy will not have a lasting impact. Conversely, when we obey and allow His strength to flow through us, the Lord produces results that defy natural explanation—powerfully effective prayers, God-honoring blessings, unbounded love, and inexplicable joy.

Next, Jesus continues his lesson with his disciples and teaches them about the Qualities of a Friend. Please read John 15:12-17 in preparation for that message.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 09/04/2022

The Gospel of John – Part 4 Confirmation of the Word – Overcoming Fear

Today we continue our series, the Good News according to John the Apostle. Last we saw how Jesus gently consoled and encouraged the remaining eleven disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

Today we continue the lesson as Jesus teaches the disciples and us, that the way to overcome fear is to allow the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to fill us and bring peace to our hearts. Our scripture for today is John 14:25-31. Follow along as I read.

While fear is a primal response, it is entirely unnatural to humanity as God first created us. The first emotion recorded in the Bible is Genesis 2:25, “Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.” Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect intimacy with God and one another, uninhibited by sin or the shame it brings. The second emotion named explicitly in Scripture is fear. After trying to conceal his shame, Adam confessed that fear drove him into hiding when his Creator came to confront him in Genesis 3:10, “He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’” Fear is a product of the Fall, and we have been trying to cope with it ever since. Fear of heights. Fear of crowds. Fear of being alone. Fear of open spaces. Fear of closed spaces. Fear of germs. Fear of death. I have even read about people having a fear of fear!

Fear can be debilitating. Fear strips the athlete of his prowess, drains creativity from the artist, muddies the leader’s clarity, and drives the soldier deeper into his foxhole. I have seen people literally paralyzed with fear, unable to move a muscle in their grip. More commonly, fear keeps people from becoming everything God created them to be and prevents them from loving one another fully.

Jesus’ announcement of His departure sent the disciples into an emotional tailspin. They couldn’t imagine their future without Jesus, and the prospect of going on alone terrified them … and rightfully so! Likewise, I cannot imagine having to face life without Christ. But, those trembling eleven men needed courage, as we do today. So, Jesus confronted their fears with four truths that, when applied, help give believers the power to overcome fear of any kind:

We may be inadequate, but the Holy Spirit will make us competent and courageous (14:25–26).

We may be fearful, but the peace of Jesus Christ is ours for the taking (14:27).

Circumstances may be dire, but victory has been assured (14:28–29).

Circumstances may be difficult, but courage can be found in obedience (14:30–31).

“All this I have spoken while still with you.” refers to the Lord’s teaching on obedience, love, and “abiding.” He promised that everything He taught them would continue to be taught by the Holy Spirit within them. The word translated “advocate or helper” is paraklētos, which we have transliterated to form the term “paraclete.”

The Greek term can also be translated as “advocate,” “encourager,” or even “coach.” In modern terms, the word carries the idea of a personal trainer running alongside someone in a race providing counsel, correction, hope, comfort, and a positive perspective. Likewise, a paraklētos helps another toward excellence. Like a coach encouraging and challenging an athlete to reach a particular goal, The Advocate trains believers to dedicate themselves, discard hindrances, and become obedient like Christ. The Helper does this supernaturally. In part by recalling the words of Christ to the mind and applying the words to the heart.

The disciples learned volumes of truth at Jesus’ feet, far more than anyone could remember without supernatural help. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the men never saw Him again as they did during His earthly ministry. Their days of casual, face-to-face conversation came to an end. They had to depend upon the Holy Spirit to give them perfect recall and to help them pass on the Lord’s teachings without error.

While we have not been tasked to write Scripture, we, as believers, have the same Holy Spirit abiding within us nonetheless. In the interim period, while Jesus is away, before He returns to establish His global Eden, His Spirit rests within His followers to instruct and remind us of previously revealed truth.

Jesus left His followers with a legacy, “Peace I leave with you,” and a treasure, “My peace I give to you.” The disciples were going to face uncertain days in the future, especially between the time of Jesus’ death and the giving of the Holy Spirit nearly two months later. So he wanted to focus their attention on the final victory.

Imagine watching a championship football game along with a group of friends. If the game had been previously recorded and you knew the final score (but your friends didn’t), you would experience the game differently than your friends. They might gasp when their team fumbled or cringe when the opponents scored. But you would remain relatively unaffected because you would be viewing everything through the lens of an assured outcome. If any of your friends wanted peace amid their doubt, all they would have to do is look to you. Your peace would become theirs.

A little later, Jesus would reassure His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.

Jesus noted that His imminent death could be seen as either a calamity or a victory, depending upon one’s perspective. He had many times predicted His death and resurrection, but the disciples failed to understand that they were taking part in something far greater than any of them imagined. If they accepted that their Master’s death was part of the Father’s plan, they would be hopeful instead of fearful.

Note the Lord’s use of “when” instead of “if” in 14:29. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. The Father’s plan is not an “if” plan but a “when” one. There are no contingencies to plan for. Nothing will stop Him. While the Lord has not rescinded His gift of self-determination or choice to each individual, He has written the future, which is no more changeable than the past. While the future will bring tribulation and our experiences will not always be pleasant, we can endure with hope—confident assurance—because the plans of God are assured of victory. No one understood this better than God’s Son, who faced deeper darkness than any other man or woman will ever endure.

The “prince (or ruler) of the world” is Satan, the evil one. When the first man disobeyed God, all creation fell under the prince’s dominion of sin, evil, death, and corruption. The incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ was an invasion, a liberation force of One. And He suffered the assault of the enemy to free humanity from the dominion of sin.

Jesus warned that the enemy planned to strike soon. Judas was planning with the religious officials to organize a cohort of temple guards and Roman soldiers at that very moment. The Lord assured His followers that obedience is the means of overcoming fear of the enemy. He declared, “I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” While the prospect of suffering the penalty of sin on behalf of the whole world troubled Him deeply, obedience gave Him courage.

Jesus pulled His disciples aside before His arrest to equip them for ministry without His physical presence. He had called them to shine the light of truth in a world still ruled by evil, and He had faithfully equipped them with all the information they would need; however, fear threatened to render them powerless. Why? For the same reason fear plagues Christians today: a lack of confidence in the truth of His words. The disciples trusted in Christ, but they lacked confidence.

There is a profound difference between “trust” and “confidence.” Trust is the decision to accept the words of Jesus as truth and make them the basis of all future decisions. Confidence is the growing feeling of peace as we apply the words of Christ and see them confirmed over and over again. Trust is a decision; confidence is a feeling.

In response to the disciples’ fear, Jesus confirmed again the truth He had been teaching from the beginning. Believers no longer have reason to fear. Unlike Adam after his disobedience, we have peace with God because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” God’s omnipotence is our ally against any conceivable enemy. But confidence in this truth does not occur the instant we believe in Him. Our decision to trust begins a process of growth in which we experience the truth of Christ’s words personally through obedience. This, in turn, leaves less and less room for fear.

Jesus called this process of growing confidence through obedience “abiding.”

Every waking moment, we focus on one of five different facets of life. They are all very present and real, so we cannot ignore them. However, only one should be our focus.

Self—When self becomes the focus of life, one becomes conceited and, inevitably, discouraged. When the world revolves around the self, we interpret all of life regarding how we view ourselves. When good or bad things happen, we assume they relate to our innate goodness or badness. Healthy self-esteem becomes twisted into vanity, while a poor self-esteem spirals into depression.

Circumstances—The quickest way to become overwhelmed by fear or hopelessness is to focus on circumstances. In many ways, it is the opposite of focusing on the self. People who focus on circumstances presume their choices can affect nothing in the world. As a result, they feel helpless and victimized by a world they feel powerless to change.

Possessions—People frequently substitute the acquisition and maintenance of things for what really satisfies them. Relationships with other people—close, intimate bonds in which one is known and knows another—are frightening to some; they find relationships with things much easier to manage. This is especially true of one’s relationship with God; therefore, great effort is spent trying to fill a Christ-shaped void with possessions.

People—We need people. God made us for relationships with others as well as with Himself. However, relationships are prime candidates for idolatry. We too easily allow the voices of those around us to overshadow the truth of Scripture and replace the internal prompting of the Holy Spirit. Some allow themselves to be tossed about on the waves of others’ opinions.

The Lord—Jesus called for us to focus on the triune God, who is sovereign over self, circumstances, possessions, and other people. Everything finds the right balance when these other four influences are subordinated to Him. We see ourselves as we ought, circumstances become tools of God’s providence, possessions become blessings, and people become our equals before Christ—equally unworthy of grace and love.

If you’re like me, you are relentlessly pragmatic. You want to know how to turn these truths into actions that make a difference. How can we render fear obsolete? How can we put fear out of our daily experiences? Here are some simple, direct suggestions that work well for me.

Acknowledge your source of power. If you have trusted in Christ, you have the presence and power of almighty God within you. The Holy Spirit lives within you. When confronted by something you fear, turn your attention to the power of God residing within and consciously ask Him to take control of you.

Begin each day with prayer. This can quickly dissolve into meaningless routine with memorized prayers. There will be times when you do not know what to say. So, say, “Lord, I have no idea what to say right now.” If no specific worry or fear comes to mind, pray for Thanksgiving. This may take two minutes or two hours. Either way, beginning the day with prayer is a means of consciously placing the Lord in charge of each new day. And for me, this is a crucial source of power and peace.

Correct your habit of pessimism. Our tendency to fear the worst as unpleasant events unfold is one of the primary reasons God gave us prophecy found in His Word. It is virtually impossible to remain pessimistic when you know the future of God’s plan. We are assured that God’s redemptive plan cannot be defeated, however dismal the present may appear, or how victorious evil appears.

Devote yourself to obedience. We give the Accuser less opportunity to frighten us when we are obedient. When bad circumstances surround us, Satan tells us that we are to blame for displeasing the Lord and that further obedience is pointless. Nothing could be further from the truth—disobedience breeds fear. Obey the Lord out of love, and amazingly, fear will fade.

Next, we will continue Jesus’s instructions to his disciples as they head toward the Mount of Olives to learn about Abiding. Please read John 15:1-11 in preparation for that message.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

The Gospel of John – Part 4 Confirmation Of The Word – Tranquil Words For Troubled Hearts

Today we continue our series, the Good News according to John the Apostle. As the Passover meal concluded, Christ reminded the remaining 11 disciples that he would soon be leaving them. With this in mind, He issued them a new command.

The truth was finally setting in with the disciples, who were anxious about their futures. After all, they invested the past three and a half years with Jesus, and now he tells them he is leaving, and they can’t come with him. Their minds were blown, and their hearts were crushed. Our scripture for today is John 14:1-24. Jesus provides Tranquil Words for Troubled Hearts. Follow along as I read.

This particular section of Scripture is good for those struggling with heart troubles. I don’t mean the troubles that can be treated with a glycerin pill or bypass surgery. In some ways, that kind of heart trouble is easier to cure. Instead, I’m referring to the kind of heart trouble that steals sleep and keeps the mind churning throughout the day. This kind of trouble induces stress and destroys joy. Some call it “worry,” but we Christians have more acceptable terms, such as “concern,” “interest,” “lack of peace,” or my very favorite, “burden.” To be “burdened” over some situation we cannot control sounds much more spiritual than simply admitting, “I’m worried sick.”

The disciples were stunned to hear Jesus’ announcement in John 13:33, “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going.” A few moments before, the obviously “troubled” Master had exclaimed in verse 21, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” Only John suspected that Judas was the culprit. The others undoubtedly wondered, “Have we caused such offense that the Lord must separate Himself from us?” Peter protested the Lord’s need to withdraw from all of them, declaring himself loyal unto death, which prompted a prediction that he would indeed deny his Master three times before dawn.

 

Obviously, Jesus didn’t mean He must leave them behind because some or all of them would be disloyal. Nevertheless, the disconnect between His perspective and the disciples is dramatic. Despite Jesus’ many predictions concerning His death, burial, and resurrection, which He termed “glory,” the men felt abandoned by Him, perhaps even resigned to the fact that they did not deserve His continued care for them. This is what prompted Jesus’ reassurance in 14:1–24. Their separation had nothing to do with the disciples’ behavior; the Lord’s leaving was part of God’s plan to redeem the world, /which He established before time began. Furthermore, Christ will be faithful to His followers regardless of their success or failure as disciples.

The Lord’s reassurance to the remaining eleven disciples presents us with six truths that offer peace when our hearts are troubled:

Personal faith in a personal Lord brings personal relief (14:1).

Our long-term future is secure (14:2–3).

The sovereign hand of God is at work in each believer’s life (14:8–11).

Greater results occur when we pray in Jesus’ name and for the Father’s glory (14:12–14).

We are not alone; we have been given an indwelling Helper (14:15–17).

We are inseparably linked to Christ (14:18–21).

The Lord’s exhortation, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The same Greek term used in 13:21 Jesus was distraught, could appear hypocritical if we fail to consider the context. Jesus did not condemn worry, per se; neither does the Bible. Feelings of distress are common to humanity, and the Lord shares that part of human nature. He meant, “Do not let your hearts be troubled by My going away.”

He followed this with a second exhortation to believe in God and His Son. The imperfect tense of the verb implies continuous action: “Keep on believing…” To believe in someone is to rely upon or trust that person. In the case of God, we are encouraged to trust in His ability and willingness to care for His own.

Let’s face it; when something terrible occurs in life, humanity immediately looks heavenward and asks one of two questions: “Why did God allow this to happen?” or “Where was God?” Both suggest the Lord was either unable or unwilling to prevent tragedy. When pressed by worldly affliction, we naturally wonder if He has abandoned us; we doubt His goodness or power.

Jesus asked for His followers’ trust amid their confusion.

 

Jesus reassured His disciples that His going away had nothing to do with their past, present, or future failures. His purpose for going away was to secure their eternal destiny. The metaphor of a dwelling in many rooms refers to His going to the cross on behalf of all humanity to ensure eternal life for those who believe. He declared that His leaving was necessary, and His return was assured.

The phrase, “house of many rooms,” has been rendered “mansions” in older translations, inspiring some to dream of owning their castle-like estate in heaven. Instead, they have transferred their frustrated materialism to the spiritual realm. We, earthlings, are good at that! However, the Greek term is monai, a plural noun based on the verb menō, which means “to abide” or “to remain.” This verb will later be central to Jesus’ exhortation (15:1–11).

Jesus used the metaphor of “many rooms” to illustrate our future relationship with the Father rather than reveal our real estate prospects. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, once a groom was betrothed, he had a set time to add a new wing to his family home. Then, after the betrothal period, he returned to receive his bride. After the wedding feast, the new couple moved into their newly added “room” and became an integral part of the family estate.

Jesus’ promise to “come back” refers to His resurrection and His second coming to build that new global Eden where heaven and earth finally become one.

Jesus reminded the disciples that they knew the way to heaven, although they undoubtedly failed to understand that heaven was His subject. (Much of what He said in the upper room was intended to become apparent once the men had received the Holy Spirit.) However, how Jesus would travel would not be the path the disciples took. Instead, Jesus would go to heaven by way of suffering: Gethsemane, the trials, scourging, the cross, death, burial, resurrection, and then ascension.

In response to Thomas’s question, obviously based on a literal interpretation of Jesus’ words, the Lord declared Himself the path to heaven. In calling Himself “the way, and the truth, and the life,” Jesus united three predominant themes, John has taken care to weave throughout his narrative. Light (truth) and water (life) images can be seen in virtually every story leading up to the Last Supper. These were joined to one of Jesus’s first images in His ministry: the Son of Man becoming the way people enter heaven (1:51).

 

While verse 6 declares a cardinal truth of the gospel, verse 7 is a rebuke. This is not a new teaching. The disciples had been watching and listening to Jesus for over three years, yet some followers outside the Twelve understood His teaching better than they did (cf. 11:24).

Jesus’ response to Thomas led to a challenge by Philip, one commonly expressed by everyone at one time or another. We live under the illusion that the will of God would be easier to accept if only we could receive a personal visit from Him. Suffering would be more bearable if God were to appear with personal reassurance. Instructions would be easier to follow if He were to communicate them audibly. However, we do not fear or fail merely because of doubt; we fear or fail because our sinful nature is enslaved to sin (Rom. 7).

Jesus reminded Philip and the others that He is the perfect representation of the Father, that perfect imager. The Father cannot take a visible, audible form more suitable than the Son. Because they are the same being, everything the Son says or does reflect the Father’s words and deeds. Therefore, everything Jesus said and did in the upper room obeyed God’s sovereign plan.

Verse 12 establishes the context. When Christ goes to the Father, His disciples will enter the ministry vacuum He leaves behind. Those who believe will pick up where Jesus left off and extend His ministry even further. Verse 13 flows right out of Verse 12. Jesus declared that prayers offered to continue the Son’s ministry will be answered as if He had spoken the prayer Himself. Verse 14 clarifies an underlying condition to the promise. To speak or act in someone’s name is to act on his behalf or in pursuit of his interests. In other words, the Lord will not grant requests that contradict His nature or oppose His plan.

More often than not, we do not pray in the interests of Jesus’ plans or for the glory of God. Instead, in our immaturity, we seek our interests and what will improve our situations. Then, as we grow wiser in grace and more robust in faith, we learn to ask for what we think is good. However, we still struggle to know what that is. I can recall many requests I prayed for in earnest—noble, unselfish petitions—only to thank God later for denying my petitions! I prayed with limited knowledge and sometimes with a hint of presumption.

Jesus promised that as we discover the will of God and align our prayers to fulfill His purposes, our prayers will become as powerful as His own.

 

Jesus established an unbreakable connection between love for God and obedience to His commands. Whereas Peter wanted to express his love in a blaze of glory with a sword at Jesus’ last stand, his Master asked for something more complicated: daily, consistent obedience. However, the Lord knows the human heart; we are woefully incapable of obedience. In partial fulfillment of the new covenant promise (Jer. 31:31–33; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13–14), Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come to dwell within the hearts of those who believe in Him.

If this news didn’t stun those eleven men, it should have. The Holy Spirit was a rare gift throughout the Old Testament and almost always temporary. He came upon certain individuals briefly for a specific purpose and then departed. Very few individuals were granted the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit for life, among them John the Baptizer (Luke 1:15). So, the announcement that the presence of God would inhabit each of them was excellent news.

With the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit comes a dramatic shift in how Jesus views the relationship between believers and “the world.” Throughout John’s narrative, Jesus uses the term “world” to include all of humanity who are fundamentally and organically bound by its fallen system and therefore hostile to Him (John 1:10). As the narrative unfolds, we see a gradual differentiation between “His own” and “the world” (13:1). “His own” are somehow different. They remain somewhat intertwined with creation, yet their fallen ways no longer bind them. Jesus later acknowledges that “His own” must remain in the world but are not of the world (15:19). After the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus portrays believers and “the world” as mortal enemies. From this point forward, believers are associated with God, and the world opposes believers just as it opposes Him.

Jesus’ promise to return involves a twofold prediction. He will return through His resurrection, and the disciples will see Him. However, His resurrection also makes possible the resurrection of all believers. We will also see Him in eternal life after death. In the meantime, we are not orphans, because He is still present through the Holy Spirit. Just as the Son and the Father are two persons and one being, so are the Son and the Spirit.

When Jesus can no longer be seen physically by the world, believers will continue to see Him because they have been given sight (9:39). The presence of the Holy Spirit is how this promise is fulfilled, while obedience is the method. As we grow in obedience and our relationship with Him strengthens. As a result, we “see” Him—not physically (until His return), but spiritually.

 

Judas (not the traitor, but another disciple) asked a question that gave the Lord another opportunity to emphasize the distinction between “His own” and “the world.” Instead, he reworded His earlier statement that the means of “seeing” Him is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the method by which we view Christ is obedience. Those who do not believe are like people without eyes; they cannot see Christ if they do not have the means. Moreover, even if they did have eyes, they would refuse to open them through obedience. Jesus used this figurative language to unite several concepts. Obedience, /love, /the words of Christ, /seeing Christ, /and abiding /are all facets of the same positive response to God, and all are made possible by the Holy Spirit.

We have the advantage of history as we read this story of the Last Supper. Because we know the disciples’ future, we see their experience from a divine perspective; therefore, we remain calm while they are despaired. Now the tables are turned. If people in heaven watch events on earth, they remain calm while we despair. Again, this is because they see our experience from a divine perspective.

If only we could see from that perspective. According to Jesus, we can.

Based on my study of John 13:33–38, I find three sources of heart trouble that affected the disciples and continue to plague believers today. Jesus addressed these troubles in John 14.

Heart Trouble #1: Death is near (13:33a). The Son of God faced imminent death. The disciples naturally worried that if Jesus could not escape His demise, what hope did anyone have? Death is the ultimate fear; however, we’re also deathly afraid of disease, sickness, accidents, crime, war, poverty, and a host of other mortal afflictions. We fear death for ourselves, or someone we love will be taken in death.

Heart Trouble #2: Daily problems (13:33b). The disciples wondered, How are we going to handle daily life without Jesus? /Each day we roll out of bed and enter daily life, we risk damaging something valuable, suffering something painful, hurting or losing someone important, or failing something critical. As a result, people experience pressure, lose jobs, suffer pain, endure hardship, feel rejection, face bankruptcy, and fall ill. And sometimes those problems of daily life feel overwhelming.

Heart Trouble #3: Disobedience (13:38). Because we are fundamentally sinful from birth and will never be anywhere near...