Spirit Of Truth

“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:” (John 16:7–8)

Jesus, in his final hours with his disciples, offers a promise that only the Son of God could make. He assures them that his departure from this world is necessary so that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, can come. It is a moment filled with confusion for the disciples, who didn’t understand why He had to go away. But it is also a mystery full of hope, as Jesus explains the essential work the Spirit will accomplish after He is gone. Let’s look at the purpose and power of the Holy Spirit, as described in John 16:7–14.

Conviction of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment

The Spirit’s first work is to convict the world—revealing truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).

• Concerning sin: The Spirit exposes our sin and unbelief, the rejection of Christ. Without this conviction, the world cannot see its need for salvation.
• Concerning righteousness: The Spirit testifies to the righteousness of Christ, vindicated through his resurrection and ascension to the Father. In doing so, the Spirit points to the sufficiency of Christ’s work to redeem us from the power of sin.
• Concerning judgment: The Spirit declares the decisive defeat of Satan, the ruler of this world. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the power of evil is judged and overthrown by the power of the cross. (Colossians 2:15).

The Spirit Glorifies

Jesus’ own words say the Spirit’s work is also this: “He shall glorify me” (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit magnifies the glory of Christ’s victory over sin and Satan, accomplished on the cross and confirmed by the empty tomb. When we read the Bible, we see the story of God’s redemptive plan in the reliable words which the Spirit revealed to the men who wrote it. (2 Peter 1:21)

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the apostle Paul writes, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Paul emphasizes that as we behold the glory of Jesus, we are being changed into His likeness. It is the Holy Spirit who lifts the veil from our hearts, enabling us to see the glory of Christ. As we behold Him in the gospel, the Spirit works to transform us into His image.

So, the Spirit’s power is a Christ-glorifying power—a power that exalts the gospel, reveals the glory of Christ crucified, and celebrates Christ risen. The Spirit’s mission is to shine a spotlight on the person and work of Jesus Christ, drawing our hearts to Him and His redeeming grace and allowing these truths to transform us into follows of Christ as our Savior and King.

Guiding Us into All Truth

Jesus continues by promising that the Spirit will guide his followers into all truth (John 16:12–13). This guidance is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual. The Spirit reveals the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection, the heart of the gospel. It is through Spirit inspired scripture that we are instructed and equipped to understand the depths of God’s love, the weight of Christ’s sacrifice, and the hope of eternal life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18 says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

As believers, we are called to live and walk in the Spirit. The Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to Christ, and calls us walk in righteousness to proclaim his glory.
There is much more to be said about the Spirit, especially the fruit of the Spirit we read of in Galatians 5. We’ll comment on that at another time. For now, let’s pray together.

Father, we thank you for not leaving your fearful disciples or us without a Helper. We now see that the Spirit’s work could only begin after Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement for now the Spirit can unveil the fullness of Christ’s glory in the gospel and in us. We thank you for the Spirit’s work in convicting, guiding, and glorifying Jesus. We desire that You open our hearts to the Spirit filled words of the Bible. Help us to see our sin, to trust in Christ’s righteousness, and to rejoice in His victory over evil. We want the Helper to be our guide as we love our neighbors by proclaiming Christs saving power to the world. Amen.


Credit: Ron Kelley