John 15: Predestination and the work and blessed assurance of the Godhead.
As we continue here and the following chapter; we see how Christ gave comfort and assurance immediately before the trial at Gethsemene which He knew was imminent. Heaven itself is mentioned right off the bat in verse 3. This; of course leads to confusion and further questions.
The answer in verse 6 is that no one comes to the Father but by me (Christ). So; the access to heaven is the priority; and that essentially is showing them how the Father makes Himself known. Previously; the emphasis was on understanding who Christ was and that no one could know HIM unless the Father had elected them. Thomas was told that he was soon to understand in verse 7; followed by Phillip's request to see the Father (obviously he still didn't get things completely). He then explains the Godhead and how the Holy Spirit would come soon at Pentacost to remain with them (verse 18-21) and continues to show how prayers are answered in understanding these concepts. He promises peace despite the remorse over His upcoming death; and comfort as the Holy Spirit will remind them of these things; with further reminders of these things just spoken as well.
Before we do a V-8 moment as to the apparent dullness of mind these 12 Disciples appeared to demonstrate; we should all be reminded that without the Holy Spirit we are toast; and if it weren't for restraint being enacted by God Satan would have destroyed all of us and the whole earth by now. We should see at least occasionally as Christ saw; that we are indeed seated at heavenly places and perceive the spiritual world and the unseen and not focus in on what our five senses and the devil are constantly promoting. We need to take on the milk of the Word as babes before we can mature and discipline helps; nonetheless we can do nothing without Him ( John 15:5).
As we continue here and the following chapter; we see how Christ gave comfort and assurance immediately before the trial at Gethsemene which He knew was imminent. Heaven itself is mentioned right off the bat in verse 3. This; of course leads to confusion and further questions.
The answer in verse 6 is that no one comes to the Father but by me (Christ). So; the access to heaven is the priority; and that essentially is showing them how the Father makes Himself known. Previously; the emphasis was on understanding who Christ was and that no one could know HIM unless the Father had elected them. Thomas was told that he was soon to understand in verse 7; followed by Phillip's request to see the Father (obviously he still didn't get things completely). He then explains the Godhead and how the Holy Spirit would come soon at Pentacost to remain with them (verse 18-21) and continues to show how prayers are answered in understanding these concepts. He promises peace despite the remorse over His upcoming death; and comfort as the Holy Spirit will remind them of these things; with further reminders of these things just spoken as well.
Before we do a V-8 moment as to the apparent dullness of mind these 12 Disciples appeared to demonstrate; we should all be reminded that without the Holy Spirit we are toast; and if it weren't for restraint being enacted by God Satan would have destroyed all of us and the whole earth by now. We should see at least occasionally as Christ saw; that we are indeed seated at heavenly places and perceive the spiritual world and the unseen and not focus in on what our five senses and the devil are constantly promoting. We need to take on the milk of the Word as babes before we can mature and discipline helps; nonetheless we can do nothing without Him ( John 15:5).
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