A True Work of the Spirit (Part 4)
February 1st, 2007
(By John MacArthur)
In this series, we’ve seen that a true work of the Holy Spirit exalts the true Christ, opposes Satan’s interests, and points people to the Scriptures. Today, we will continue by looking at another mark of the Spirit’s work. The following material is adapted from Jonathan Edwards’s The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God.
It Elevates Truth
“We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (v. 6).
Another rule by which to judge spirits is that whatever operates as a spirit of truth, leading people to truth, convincing them of those things that are true — we may safely determine that it is a right and true spirit.
For instance, if the spirit at work makes men more aware than they used to be of the central gospel truths: that there is a God; that He is a great and sin-hating God; that life is short and very uncertain; that there is another world; that they have immortal souls; that they must give account of themselves to God; that they are exceeding sinful by nature and practice; that they are helpless in themselves — then that spirit operates as a spirit of truth. He represents things as they truly are. He brings men to the light.
On the other hand, the spirit of darkness will not uncover and make manifest the truth. Christ tells us that Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. His kingdom is a kingdom of darkness. It is upheld and promoted only by darkness and error. Satan has all his power and dominion by darkness. Whatever spirit removes our darkness and brings us to the light undeceives us. If I am brought to the truth and am made aware of things as they really are, my duty is immediately to thank God for it without inquiring by what means I have such a benefit.
(To be concluded tomorrow)
Truth loves the light. Lies love the darkness.
Thanks for another good post.
I think the reason the church is in the mess that it is is because it has turned its back on God and His word. Rarely do you find “Christians” who read the Word of God. 2Timothy. I do have a question. I don’t understand this statement, “If I am brought to the truth and am made aware of things as they really are, my duty is immediately to thank God for it without inquiring by what means I have such a benefit.” Why are we not to “inquire by what means I have such a benefit”. Are we not to identify that all good gifts come from above from the Father of light, and thus, be able to give due glory to Him? The truth might be revealed to me through His word by the Holy Spirit or it might come from a sermon preached from any number of my favorite preachers or it might come from a site such as this one or others that speak His truths. I feel I should acknowledge those avenues as being avenues that God is using and then give Him glory for the truths that come from them. Maybe I am just not understanding that statement. If you have time, could you please clarify? Thanx.
sarah,
I think it needs to be understood in the context of the first 6 verses of 1 John. Then it makes sense.
Whoops. 1 john chapter 4.
Donsands,
thanks for your answer, however, when I read ch.4, I don’t find anywhere in there where it says that we are “to thank God for it without inquiring by what means I have such a benefit”. In fact, it says quite the opposite in that we are to test the spirits to see if they are of God. Now if we see that what we have received lines up with Scripture, and we in fact, realize that it is a spirit of truth and we then give thanks to God for it, haven’t we in the first place sought “by what means I have such a benefit” by testing the spirit of revelation given to us?
I suppose I may have simplified it too much.
You may be right Sarah.
I thought all he was saying was that if we are brought to the truth, we need to simply thank God. We are unprofitable servants, and this blessing is simply a blessing of mercy and grace.
And you might be right too, Donsands. I hope we find out what he means.
Consider these two verses:
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. I John 4:5,6
This scripture speaks of a contrast between those who are of God and those who are of the world (not of God). Those who are of God have been chosen by Him and they are enabled by Him to be receptive to the Holy Spirit and are willing to hear and receive the truth of the Word of God and the truth about Jesus. This receptivity to “the Spirit of Truth” John 14:16,17; 16:13 identifies those who are of God. Those who are of the world are unwilling and even unable to accept the truth of the Word and the truth about Jesus. These two groups can be identified by how receptive they are to the truth of the Word. This receptivity or rejection of the truth of the Word of God identifies those who are of the Spirit of truth and those who are of the spirit of error. A chosen person may reject temporarily, but ultimately they will receive the truth. Those of the world can never accept the truth. They may accept popular deceptions, false teachers, other religions, and other “ways to God”, but not the truth. They are, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2Tim 3:7 “Never able” is a strong statement but that’s what the Word of God says. They are those, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2Cor 4:4
This is similar to what Jesus spoke in John 8:23, “And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. And in John 8:43, “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”, and John 8:47, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” Those who are not of God “cannot” hear God’s words. They are of their father the devil are under the control of the spirit of error. Unless God chooses someone and opens their eyes and ears to the truth they remain blinded as Paul said in Rom 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” And “none” means NONE.
It takes a revelation from heaven in order for a person to come to the understanding that Jesus is the Son of God. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Mat 16:16,17
Consider these scriptures.
John 17:6, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”
First they were chosen by God and given to Jesus. Only then did they receive the words of God and come to know and believe in Jesus. The order is plain. We were not smart enough to figure out who Jesus is or chose Him on our own. We were chosen and enabled by God to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.
We should fall on our knees and thank God that he chose us (John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…”), and, “…rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Yours in Christ,
Riley