Participating in the Tree of Life series: The source of truth

This is the 10th post in the Tree of Life series.  Here are links to the first and most recent posts. 

This blog series has been anchored in Revelation 22, verses 1-3:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse.

This post further explores what is described here as the river of the water of life, elsewhere referred to as streams of living water.  Two previous posts in this series addressed water in the context of the tree of life:  Post #3 (water and light) addressed aspects of plant biology and water, and post #8 (Abundant, continuous water) addressing the never-ending supply of water (Holy Spirit) to the believer.

The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer cannot be overemphasized.  Even if you are very familiar with characteristics of the Holy Spirit from prior studies, it’s worth being reminded of this living water which has quenched our thirst, sustains our lives, and empowers us to be the vehicles God designed to proclaim the message of salvation and healing to the world around us. God designed us to be spirit-filled to accomplish his work.  This begins with knowing the truth about God and Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is our source of truth

Jesus himself explains the role of the Holy Spirit to His disciples, prior to His arrest, trial and crucifixion.

John 14: 15 -17

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

John 16: 12-13

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

Jesus declares the Holy Spirit is our source of truth.  Let’s look at this passage from John 16, expanded for additional context (verses 4 through 13), and from a different translation (The Message)

“I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you. 8-11 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. 12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.”

Not only does the Holy Spirit lead the believer into all truth, the Holy Spirit convinces the unbeliever of the truth of the gospel message.  The Holy Spirit convinces people of the truth of their disbelief, the truth of righteousness made possible through Jesus, and the truth that judgment of Satan has taken place through Jesus’ resurrection. God provides the Holy Spirit to be a source of truth to both the unbeliever, so that s/he may believe, and come into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and also to the believer, as s/he continues the journey of a Christian.

It seems there are many things we encounter where we want to know the truth, and it’s easy to default to our own minds, and attempt to discern the truth with our own thinking.  At least I know I find myself in this circumstance.  Yet, God reminds me through the Holy Spirit flowing in me, that I am to depend on the Holy Spirit for truth.  For some things – minor things – in the context of the big picture of eternity, the immediate truth concerning a specific issue or circumstance may not really be that important, in comparison to being aware, and reminded of God’s ultimate truth.  I find in the moment that I am reminded of God’s truth through the Holy Spirit, it settles my mind, and calms me, so I can rest my thoughts, and confidently know that my life is in God’s hands.  I’m reminded of the words God gave to Paul, as recorded in Romans, chapter 8, verses 1 through 6:

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

This is the truth – we have life and peace through the Holy Spirit, which flows constantly in us and through us, as a condition of our connection to Jesus.  When we allow our minds to be governed by the Holy Spirit – which is a choice we have to make – we avail ourselves to the truth. Yes, sometimes we face circumstances where we need immediate answers, and need to make quick decisions.  Yet, our starting point ought to be awareness of our spiritual reality, realizing the truth of our eternal condition. 

Using Tree of Life imagery, this means being reminded that we are branches in God’s Tree of Life, connected to Jesus, with the Holy Spirit flowing through us, to produce good fruit, and also guiding us into God's truth.  Are you looking for truth?  Connect yourself to Jesus, and let the river flow...