Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
John 14:15-21
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
Commentary:
14:15 Jesus’ words echo the demands of the Deuteronomic covenant (cf. Deut. 5:10; 6:5–6; 7:9; 10:12–13; 11:13, 22) and reflect his unique authority. True love manifests itself in willing obedience.
14:16–17 The Holy Spirit (cf. v. 26), the Spirit of truth who will guide the disciples into all truth (16:13), will serve as another Helper (or “helping Presence”; see also ESV footnote). He will indwell Jesus’ followers forever, functioning as Jesus’ emissary in his physical absence. The promise of the divine presence with Jesus’ followers in 14:15–24 includes the Spirit (vv. 15–17), Jesus (vv. 18–21), and the Father (vv. 22–24). he dwells with you and will be in you. This does not mean that there was no work of the Spirit of God within believers prior to this time (see note on 7:39) but rather that the Holy Spirit “will be in you” in a new and more powerful sense after Pentecost.
14:18 I will come to you most likely means that Jesus will appear to the disciples after his resurrection (chs. 20–21). Some interpreters have taken this as a reference to the Holy Spirit’s coming, which Jesus does promise (14:16–17), but both Jesus and John always use precise wording in maintaining a distinction between Jesus and the Spirit.
14:21 keeps (i.e., follows and obeys) them. Obedience to Christ is an indication of genuine love for him.
14:16–17 The Holy Spirit (cf. v. 26), the Spirit of truth who will guide the disciples into all truth (16:13), will serve as another Helper (or “helping Presence”; see also ESV footnote). He will indwell Jesus’ followers forever, functioning as Jesus’ emissary in his physical absence. The promise of the divine presence with Jesus’ followers in 14:15–24 includes the Spirit (vv. 15–17), Jesus (vv. 18–21), and the Father (vv. 22–24). he dwells with you and will be in you. This does not mean that there was no work of the Spirit of God within believers prior to this time (see note on 7:39) but rather that the Holy Spirit “will be in you” in a new and more powerful sense after Pentecost.
14:18 I will come to you most likely means that Jesus will appear to the disciples after his resurrection (chs. 20–21). Some interpreters have taken this as a reference to the Holy Spirit’s coming, which Jesus does promise (14:16–17), but both Jesus and John always use precise wording in maintaining a distinction between Jesus and the Spirit.
14:21 keeps (i.e., follows and obeys) them. Obedience to Christ is an indication of genuine love for him.
Questions:
- Not only does the Bible always affirm heterosexual relationships and marriage, but it also NEVER affirms homosexual practice. There isn't one single passage of Scripture that supports homosexual practice or even talks positively about it. No examples... not one in either the New or Old Testaments. How do you think people in support of homosexual practices that claim to be believers are able to reconcile their views and opinions with the truth of Scripture? Do you ever find yourself agreeing with your mind that God's Word is true and at the same time resist it in your heart because it doesn't always feel good? How do we get our hearts and mind to align behind God's truth?
- Love is love. You've probably heard this or seen it posted on social media in support of homosexual relationships. Love is love? No. God is love. He is the definition of love. The very first commandment is to love God first and with all we have. Remember, we can't love anything in our lives the right way unless we love Him first. The Bible's definition of love isn't just emotions. It's not self-asserting or self-serving. It's a selfless sacrificing of me and my interests and my rights for someone else. This is where culture, once again, twists the truth of God's good design. Jesus said deny yourself, not embrace yourself. He said loving Him looks like obedience. We cannot say we love Jesus and then choose to disobey Him. Has this "embrace yourself," "discover your true self" ideology crept into your thinking and opinions? How often are you thinking about denying yourself and following Jesus? What does your level of obedience say about your love for Christ?
Pray:
- That you would always align with God's truth.
- That you would love Jesus more than self.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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