The Gospel of John Lesson 68 (03-23-14) John 16:7-11

The Gospel of John Lesson 68 (03-23-14)

Lesson 68 – John 16:7-11

Normally I do not name individual studies, however, the next two studies are such important studies for practical application that I felt led to name them “The Holy Spirit…coming to a neighborhood near you”. As we move through these studies hopefully you will understand why I felt led to do so.

In vs. 7-11 Jesus gives His followers more details about the gift of the Comforter that was to come. He tells them that if He did not go away that this Comforter would not come to them and minister to them and empower them as He tells them that He would. It is true that this Comforter, the Holy Spirit, had already in reality come. But, He did not act on their behalf as yet in the way that Jesus had explained to them that He would.

Even though the Holy Spirit was present with them at the time that Jesus spoke these words, the Holy Spirit’s work at that time had to do with Jesus and His present work, especially with reference to the nation Israel. While Jesus was still present it appears that the Holy Spirit’s job and ministry had more to do with ministering to Jesus and witnessing to those present that Jesus was indeed the Messiah that was predicted would come. However, soon the Power that filled Jesus’ ministry on earth would be passed onto His followers to continue His work while He was gone.

There are a number of conjectures or thoughts as to why Jesus had to leave before the Holy Spirit would come and empower Jesus’ disciples for their ministry. Some make more sense than others. In looking at what Jesus was saying about His leaving them, in reality He would be leaving them twice. He would leave the first time upon His death on the Cross for three days and the second time He would leave them for a much longer period of time after His resurrection and ascension until His return at His second coming. In considering these two events, both were necessary for the Holy Spirit to be able to come and do His work.

In vs. 7-11 the Apostle John describes three major jobs or works that the Holy Spirit would be responsible for. In v. 8 Jesus makes clear the functions and jobs of the Holy Spirit. He tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit when He came would convict the world of sin, would show forth, reveal or witness to the world what righteousness really is and being present in this world He would by His very presence judge or be the judge of a world and its leader that was in rebellion toward Him.

When considering the importance of Jesus leaving the first time the reason is pretty obvious. The first time that He left them it was to die on the Cross in payment of man’s sin. It is obvious that if Jesus had not left the first time that the Holy Spirit would not have anything to declare. In v. 9 it tells us that one of the Holy Spirit’s duties or tasks was to convict man that he is a sinner and is in his natural unregenerate state living in rebellion toward God.

If I understand what it is saying here, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict and make man aware that he is indeed a sinner, revealing to him his need for a Savior. It is obvious that if Jesus had not left and had not died on the cross the Holy Spirit would not have been able to offer or reveal to mankind Jesus the Savior, the One who had left to die and pay for man’s sins.

It is interesting that here in chapter 16 v. 9 that Jesus highlights one sin in particular that apparently is the worst of the worst concerning sins. In reading what Jesus says here however it appears to go further than that. If you stop and think about what Jesus appears to be saying here, it seem that in reality that there is only one major sin separating man from God and that it is the job of the Holy Spirit to reveal it to man. Jesus tells us here in Jn. 16:9 what that sin is. He tells us that it is the sin of unbelief.

It is interesting, of all the many sins that could be named here Jesus names unbelief as a sin and that it is the focal point of the Holy Spirit’s work. However, what Jesus tells them here in Jn. 16:9 is that not just any type of unbelief would be the focus of the Holy Spirit’s work and attention, but specifically that He would come and deal with the unbelief that denied that Jesus was indeed the Promised Messiah and was the One and only that was capable of paying for man’s sins, offering forgiveness to man for those sins.

Before we go on it is important to say that in thinking about what is said here in v. 9 that in saying that there is one major sin that separates man from God, it is not to say that there is only one sin. The Bible is full of references that name numerous sins that are real trespasses and offenses against God. They are more than can be, as they say, imagined. Sins committed against God and toward man come in all shapes and sizes of perversions. However, here in v. 9 of chapter 16 Jesus seemingly focus’ on one sin in particular in reality putting all sin that man is guilty of and responsible for under the umbrella of this one offence. Why?

The answer may be found by looking at other references in the Gospels that talk about the Holy Spirit’s work concerning man and the forgiveness of his sins. In considering what Jesus says here in v. 9 of chapter 16 and comparing this passage with other references it is the sin of ‘unbelief’ that stands in the way of man’s redemption and his restoration in his relationship with God. We have seen Jesus make a number of statements as we have studied John’s Gospel concerning men and their sins or offences and the need to believe in Him as the Lord and Messiah to be forgiven of these offences.

In review, we will remember that many of those conversations and debates were with Israel’s religious leaders who were self righteous and would not ‘believe’ Jesus’ message and report concerning His being God’s Messiah. In the end Jesus was very blunt with them telling them that if they did not ‘believe’ that He was indeed the Messiah and was capable of paying for and offering them forgiveness for their sins, all their sins, that they would have no hope and continue to stand in judgment for their offensives before God. Jn. 8:24 This judgment is talked about also in John 16:11 where it tells us that it will be the Holy Spirit that will be the divider and judge between good and evil during this time that Jesus would be away.

In our mind most of us could think of a worse sin that we could commit than just not believing. As a matter of fact, most of us when reading this in v. 9 could immediately come up with a sin that we have personally committed that we currently bear shame or guilt from that to us would be much worse than just not believing one’s message and report. Why does Jesus mention ‘unbelief’ as the focal sin and work of the Holy Spirit concerning man, this world and redemption? Is the sin of unbelief in Jesus and His message really that great of offence to God to be focused on and singled out as the main thrust of the Holy Spirit’s work on earth?

In talking about and discussing this one sin, the sin of unbelief, that in essence keeps man from coming to God, we should also take a look at another passage that is connected to this passage here in Jn. 16:9 that is often confusing and often troublesome for many.

As we take a closer look at this, first it is important to remember to point out the obvious, that Jesus does point out unbelief as a sin and that it is indeed, according to this passage, not only a thrust and focus of the Holy Spirit and His work, but it in reality is ‘the’ focus and thrust of the Holy Spirit’s work and attention in this world. Belief is the ‘Door’ that opens up our reality to God and His work of redemption concerning forgiveness…forgiveness not only of the one sin of unbelief, but the forgiveness of ALL sins.

It is the ‘sin of unbelief’ that locks us up in the prison of debt and accountability awaiting the judgment spoken of in John 16:8 and John 16:11. Prior to the belief in Jesus and His offer of forgiveness that He had offered we bear all of our own sins awaiting judgment for each and every one of them before God. They are too numerous to count or even remember for that matter. In believing and receiving God’s message and offer we are forgiven of all of our sins finding ourselves completely forgiven of all sin no longer at enmity with God.

So the question comes up concerning one sin in the Bible says is unforgivable. We find reference to it in Matthew chapter 12 vs. 31 and 32 (Please read) naming it as a sin that is ‘unpardonable’. That means that it is unforgivable.

So what is this sin that is unpardonable? In looking at numerous commentaries, I must admit that even though my commentary review has been enough to satisfy my informational curiosity on this subject that my commentary review has not been completely exhaustive. So far, however, the commentaries that I have seen all seem to say or imply that this sin is indeed an act or word or deed that steps over the line of God’s ability or willingness to forgive. It is implied that it is a line in the sand that God has drawn that once stepped over you have crossed the point of no return. From that moment on the offender stands doomed forever…even if they were to change their mind and repent at a later time.

So, the question comes up again, what is this unpardonable sin that Jesus says is committed against the Holy Spirit of God? It is my belief that this unpardonable sin is intimately related to our passage here in John chapter 16.

In reviewing the incident that occurred in chapter 12 of Matthew that prompted Jesus’ response and comment concerning the unpardonable sin you will note that He made that statement to the Pharisees following a public debate concerning who they thought He was. They had attributed the works and miracles of Jesus to His being associated with God’s enemy the Devil. Because of their unbelief, Jesus found their remarks and comments blasphemous against the Holy Spirit and His work. Matt. 12:24

Some would be totally literal and claim that it is the saying of the words that were uttered by the Pharisees that constitutes the committing of the unpardonable sin. In other words, saying that Jesus’ work is actually the Devil’s work accusing Jesus of doing Satan’s work instead of God’s.

However, if that were true then there would be many that now believe and are followers of Christ that have committed this sin that is unpardonable. Many had serious doubts concerning Christ and His claims prior to coming to Him in belief. In other words they did not believe Jesus’ message.

Many of those who now follow Him, prior to their conversion, have thought Jesus to be false and opportunistic, seeing Him as a deceiver and therefore a liar in essence attributing His message and works to the dark side and in essence to its Prince who is Satan in the process deceiving many. The Apostle Paul is a good example of this. He believed that he was working for God when the Christians were deceiving many by preaching Christ. We know what happened to Paul.

So, this could not be the unpardonable sin. For many it was their wrestling with and being honest with their doubts that eventually gave way to faith. Also, it seems to me that what the Pharisees had said would actually be blaspheming Jesus and not the Holy Spirit.

So what is the unpardonable sin then? Well it is my belief that it is answered here in John’s Gospel as well as in other passages telling us that the sin that is truly unpardonable is the sin stated by Jesus in Jn. 16:9, or, the sin of unbelief.

In vs. 8-11 in John 16 we are told the three fold work of the Holy Spirit. One aspect of the Spirit’s work is to convict man of his sin using Jesus and His life and work as His proof. To deny His, the Spirit’s, witness is to call Him a liar blaspheming Him in the process. The sin that is unforgivable is the sin of ‘unbelief’ not believing the Holy Spirit’s witness. It is the one sin that cannot be pardoned or forgiven for if a person remains in unbelief he is unpardoned or their sin(s) unpardonable. (Part II next week)