Howbeit When He the Spirit of Truth Is Come, He Will Guide You Into All Truth - Part 1591

Jesus said, "And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in Me." (Matthew 11:6)

Throughout the book of Romans, we understand that the offense is Jesus. This is why "the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone, a rock of offence; and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:30-33; Isaiah 8:14-15)

Nevertheless, as Jesus states, there will come a time when believers in Jesus by faith will be put out of the synagogues because of His Name -- the precious Name of Jesus. Indeed, we are witnessing an extension of this within the public square but I digress. Still, the modern day religious culture has to take responsibility for rejecting the very commandments established in the apostolic doctrine. And the fact, as Peter standing with the eleven so boldly declared on the day of Pentecost -- that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ.(Acts 2:36-47)

In the same context, modern day religion does not believe that we are to be clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. These reject that the great commission (as religion has coined the phrase) includes accepting that every single person in the new testament (after the cross) was water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus -- to the degree, that water baptism in their minds has been deemed by religion to be no longer necessary.

Further, the religious of this day reject the diversities of gifts, and the differences of administrations, and the diversities of operations -- the gifts outlined in I Corinthians 12 that are freely given to those that understand that Jesus is the Lord -- rejecting also that "all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:1-11)

These too have denied the "renewed" Holy Ghost -- after Jesus was taken up so that the Holy Ghost and Comforter could come. (Acts 1:2; Titus 3:4-7)

Why? Because the body of Christ ministry that the Lord instituted is being constantly rejected within church culture. Few religious organizations are willing to move away from a one-man ministry model to a setting whereby everyone -- "when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation" while still letting all things be done unto edifying. (I Corinthians 14:26)

Herein is the crux of the problem. When Jesus (who is both Lord and Christ) is not accepted as the Head of the Church (even though the scriptures are clear on this point) we lose the very essence of the salvation message. We compromise what the Word means, instead of conforming to His instruction, and delighting in His counsel and wisdom.

It is in this context that Jesus' words to His disciples are insightful as well as instructive to us in these last days.

Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to Him that sent Me: and none of you ask Me, "Whither goest Thou?"

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Howbeit, when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew [it] unto you ... A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me, because I go to the Father." (John 16:1-16)

Thus, Jesus through the Holy Ghost, in which He gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen is still leading those who believe in Him by faith into all truth today. (Acts 1:2-3) When we are filled with His Spirit and willing to let Him -- the Lord of glory guide our steps, He reproves the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment through us. The key is to be willing to let Him -- the Spirit of truth guide us in the way that He would have us go.

"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged ..."

This is why if any man thirst, as Jesus said, "let him come unto Me and drink; he that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

Yes, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) So, regardless of what the religious culture of this day tells us or compromises when it comes to scriptural teachings, we have a higher calling -- His Name is Jesus, and He is our hope -- the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

Stand in the offering plate.