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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conference, Conference With the Disciples, Part XLV, John 15:25-27 - Lesson 153
Read Verses John 15:22-24, for review: If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Jesus calls the law their law.
The Jews had so distorted the law in order to bind the people.
It has become a business with them.
A system of minute rules and regulations designed by the self righteous and for the self righteous.
As he said in: Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
The Pharisees and the scribes had taken the law into the world system of hypocrisy and iniquity.
These are the pillars upon which the world system is built.
And their heart had connected with this system.
Their law provided them a place where their self righteousness could be displayed in the most advantages way.
The self righteous always construct a display window to show their self righteousness off to the rest of the world, do they not?
This satisfies the world.
If my image is successful then I am successful.
Who cares what is in the heart, just be careful about the image.
If one image does not work, I'll try another.
I can have an image for all seasons and for all occasions.
The world system caters to the heart of man.
The senses of sight, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling are fully subject to the deceitfulness of the heart.
That is why the just must live by faith.
The just cannot live by the senses because the senses always will lead into error.
The senses of the Pharisees and scribes had led them to so corrupt and twist the law and the prophets that it was impossible for them to recognize the Messiah.
They were full of hatred to anyone who threatened their corrupt system.
They could not recognize righteousness because they only recognized self-righteousness.
They were of the world and anyone who is not of the world will receive their hatred
They had no cause to hate the Son of God.
David, a type of Christ wrote in: Psa 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty:
All who hate Jesus Christ hate him without a cause.
There is nothing in the Son of God to provoke hatred in anyone but from those with depraved minds and twisted minds.
His character, his doctrines, his laws were without fault.
He never did anyone any harm, he had always helped those who had needs.
But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled.
It is simply vindication of the word of God about the depravity of the heart of man.
Their hearts were desperately wicked, and that is why anyone hates Christ.
John 15:26,27, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Disciples, do not be downhearted because of the opposition you will receive.
The time of my departure is at hand but I will not leave you comfortless.
I will send you the Comforter from the Father.
(parakletos, par‑ak'‑lay‑tos; an intercessor, consoler:‑‑advocate, comforter.)
I know you will be hated on my account but I will not leave you without help, for the Comforter shall testify of me.
The Holy Spirit will maintain the cause of Christ.
How do you think it has been maintained now for two thousand years?
Do you think the church alone has done the job?
Only under the influence of the Comforter have believers borne the testimony of Christ and his salvation for these two thousand years.
That is why the word of God can never be destroyed. because the Spirit of truth testifies of Christ.
He bears witness to him and he is his representative.
The Spirit of truth keeps truth alive to the believer.
The Spirit of truth gives to the believer knowledge of the deception of the world system.
The believer is equipped by the Spirit of truth to keep unspotted by the world.
For the world system under the direction of Satan is out to capture man as slaves and subjects.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, empowers the believer with the ability to be sober, to be vigilant so he cannot be devoured by the devil.
In so doing he hinders the work of Satan.
Believers are not left to themselves and their weaknesses but are fully endowed by the one sent from the Father.
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
The purpose of the apostles is here expressed.
Why did Christ choose the apostles?
He chose them to be with him from the beginning of his ministry so they could bear witness of him.
They had a mission to fulfill and they were to be given all that they needed to carry out that mission.
They were not to be left comfortless. |