Biblical truth
In our world today, truth has become very ‘relative’. What one believes or disbelieves is their truth. It varies with individuals and circumstances. Biblical truth has for the most part been discarded as old and irrelevant. Even as believers, I wonder just how much we consider God’s word in our everyday lives as being relevant; in the decisions we make or even what we believe? Even Pilate asked Jesus before sentencing him—”What is truth?”
Here, Jesus is praying for the Church, you and me who have been born again. He is asking the heavenly Father to sanctify (set them apart-for holy service to God) us through his word. Sanctification is the process that begins once we have experienced justification, forgiven by the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Jesus knew that, left alone, even after salvation, we were not fit, not prepared to serve God in a way that would glorify him and bring joy to our souls. His prayer was for you and me while he was here on earth, before the cross and his return to his rightful position with the Father.
The Holy Spirit
Today, he is still interceding for us, still speaking to the Father. But the equally wonderful truth is, at Pentecost, he sent his promised Spirit as the person and power to ensure success in our sanctification. He had said/prayed, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper (advocate/counselor), to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be (is) in you” (Jn. 14.16,17 ESV). Jesus has prayed and we are the recipients of his truth, his word. It is absolute, completely relative to any circumstance we face. Trust it daily.
