Have you ever gotten hung up on something that doesn’t make sense to you in the Bible? We’ve all been there. Whether it’s a big doubt that arises in your mind over something seemingly cruel, a miracle, or just a detail that seems to conflict with another recounting of the story in another book of the Bible. One of the bumps in my spiritual road has been synchronizing the events of Resurrection Sunday. I don’t struggle with the fact that our crucified Savior came back to life , but every Lent Season leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday I wrestle with the sequence of events on the first Resurrection Sunday. It’s hard for me to harmonize all the Gospel accounts into one chronological timeline. As a young adult, this difficulty caused me doubts and distress. But I decided that I would hold fast to the Bible accounts whether I understood them or not. Finally, I realized many Bible scholars through the ages have puzzled over this. So, I keep studying, reading the Gospel accounts and other believers’ opinions of the sequence. I feel that I’ve come to a better understanding of how all the accounts fit together when they at first appear to conflict. But understanding comes after faith in some cases. In the end, some questions will never be resolved in this life. And we’re not left on our own to face doubts and questions. All we need to have faith and to live obediently is revealed to us by God’s own Spirit in the Scriptures. Left on our own, we don’t even have the desire to read the Bible, nor can we understand it. But the Spirit teaches us the Bible’s truth.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide (lead, explain, instruct) you into all the truth. “ Jesus in John 16:13
“the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” John 14:17
“Your words are truth.” John 17:17
“All Scripture is inspired by God (literally; God-breathed) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God, by his Spirit, enabled men of old to record the history of his special people, his laws, psalms of praise, and prophecies. Later he enabled men to remember and record the words and actions of Jesus, principles for living, and prophecies for the future. Since God carried these men along by his Spirit to write his words, surely he can help us understand his words by that same Spirit.
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
On the eve of his death, Jesus encouraged and comforted his followers. He made a great and precious promise to them. He promised that after his death, he would send them a part of himself and his Father to become part of them. This way, even though they wouldn’t see him physically, they would be constantly connected to him no matter where they were. Here we are two thousand years later, still enjoying that promise kept.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. . . you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Jesus in John 14:16-17,18,20,26
Jesus knew what his followers would be up against. From the day he went to his Father until the day he comes back to earth- they would face opposition from without and from within; those who refuse the truth and our own inclination to do wrong. He knew we would need a lot of help! The Spirit from God would be our Parakletos which can be translated as Advocate, Counselor, Intercessor, Helper, Encourager, and Comforter. (John 14 and John 16)
Not only does the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s Word with our minds, he also helps us obey God’s Word from our hearts. He shifts our desires. Our natural reactions to negative experiences are often destructive. I was hopping mad today before I got help from dear Husband who the Spirit used to help me resolve my rising resentment against a family member. God’s Spirit helps us overcome these inclinations that tear us and others down. Instead, he encourages the positive character traits that give us a better life. He helps us choose God’s way above our own depraved way.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” Galatians 5:16-17,19
Not only does the Holy Spirit teach us, and guide us, but he also keeps our emotions safe. Even when circumstances scream panic, the Spirit washes peace over us. Through sad news, bad news, and all our human experiences, he provides deep happiness and peace no matter what we encounter. He’s our comforter and encourager. He nurtures us and assists us to move past our fear, anger, quarreling, and selfishness to God’s love, peace, and true happiness.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus in John 14:26-27
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“ . . . The joy (other translations: happiness, gladness, rejoicing) given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace . . .” Galatians 5:22
PS Since I couldn’t begin to cover all that God’s Spirit does for us in one blog article, we’ll look at his work in us again another time.