I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears…” vss.12-13a
John 16:12-13
Even though John’s gospel was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection his words are an accurate description of what drove the evangelical mission of the Church. The disciples didn’t have a blueprint but were guided by what Jesus called the Spirit of Truth. They would go out with the gospel, a message of faith and grace, and trusted that they would be led into the truth. Sometimes the things they ended up doing were a surprise to even themselves, the path took them a long way from the Judaism in which they had been nurtured. And they didn’t always agree with each other–often they struggled mightily as they sought to discern the truth. That same pattern has continued through the centuries that followed. Often just when people thought they’d figured things out, some new charismatic leader would appear claiming that the Spirit had given new insights, and that change was in order. Occasionally the result was turmoil–sometimes those in control would do their best to quench the Spirit. For many the story of the Church is messy, but this is exactly how it is when the Spirit of Truth is guiding. And the best news is: the gospel has survived and prospered, and billions have come to know that Jesus is Lord!
Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between the Church and a sect?
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