Week 29—Sunday John 16:13-15
“GUIDE YOU INTO ALL THE TRUTH”
We are at the transition stage in our quest, where we are passing from the Word made flesh in Jesus to the Word made flesh in his followers. The Holy Spirit is the Agent of the Transition, for the Spirit is the applied edge of Redemption—the Spirit is Operation-Redemption. Jesus said: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Note this does not say that the Holy Spirit will expound to you the truth—that would be the Word become word. But it does say, “he will guide you into all the truth”—the Spirit will guide you into the possession of the Truth and into the Truth possessing you—a life possession. The Spirit guides you into being the Truth becoming flesh.
If Christianity had been only a set of doctrines to be believed it would have said, “he will teach you about the truth.” But that would have been the Word become word. And it would have been less than, and other than, the Christian gospel. The translators of the new versions slipped into the Word become word conception when they called the “Comforter” in the King James Version “the Counselor”—Counselor, one who counsels you, gives verbal advice. But the Holy Spirit is neither just “Comforter,” nor just “Counselor”—the Spirit is the paraclete, literally, para (beside) and kaleo (to call)—the One called alongside you, the Guide who guides you into all truth. The Spirit is not a “Counselor” to help you with your lessons, but a guide who meets you on the quest and guides you into the very possession of the Truth. This takes the setting out of the lecture room or school room and puts it on the Way—you are not dealing with questions—you are on a quest—a life quest. The Holy Spirit takes you by the hand and leads you right into the life-possession of the Truth. The Spirit makes the Word become flesh—in you. The Spirit makes the Blood get into your blood—become you!
O Holy Spirit, take me by the hand today and guide me into the Truth in every situation. For I want to live in the Truth, and become the Truth in some little but real way. Make me so truthful that I will become truth by identification. Only grace can do that. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: The Holy Spirit will reveal to me as much truth as I am willing to practice and no more.