Evolving the Spirit's ongoing work A Study of John 16:12 15 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller hello good people.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

This is our daily adventure you into the New Testament of the Bible.

We use the message version to make the reading understandable.

We make it relatable by giving you some points to ponder and applicable by giving you an action step to take.

We use the Revised Common Lectionary Use the selected verse of Scripture for this very day.

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It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.

Going to do our reading for the day from the Gospel of John 16:12 15 Reading from the Message 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.

He won't draw attention to himself, but he will make sense out of what is about to happen and indeed out of all that I have done and said.

He will honor me.

He will take from me and deliver it to you.

Everything the Father has is also mine.

That is why I've said He takes from me and delivers to you.

A wonderful reading from the Gospel of John.

And in today's reflection we're exploring Jesus's words about and ongoing a continual revelation in really the dynamic nature of spiritual truth.

Here's some points to ponder.

The first has to do with progressive revelation.

Jesus explicitly states that there are truths that followers can't handle now.

This fundamentally challenges religious fundamentalism and biblical literalism.

It suggests that spiritual understanding evolves as communities grow in awareness and capability.

And this validates the progressive Christian understanding that our grasp of divine truth continues to grow to expand throughout history, science and through a growing consciousness.

A second point to ponder is about what we might call collective discernment, wisdom from the group.

The Spirit of truth works through community discernment, not just individual interpretation.

When Jesus speaks of the Spirit taking us by the hand, the us is plural.

This suggests that understanding divine truth requires diverse perspectives and collective understanding and wisdom.

It's particularly relevant as we grapple with modern ethical challenges not directly addressed by Scripture.

A third point is about truth beyond ego.

The Spirit won't draw attention to himself, but focuses on revealing truth.

This challenges personality, cults and celebrity Christianity.

It suggests that authentic spiritual leadership points beyond itself to deeper truth and justice.

When religious leaders centered on themselves rather than on divine truth and human liberation, they've missed the Spirit's model.

Here's your action step.

Practice evolutionary listening.

That is Join or create a discussion group focused on contemporary ethical issues.

This might mean like climate justice or gender issues, or economic inequality or racism, any number of issues that are in our world and explore how traditional religious understanding of these issues has evolved and why.

Listen especially for voices that have historically been excluded from religious conversation and document how you understand this.

Write it down or do some way to record it so you can expand the dialogue moving forward of a closing prayer in just a minute, but I always want to let you know that we have a resource for you that will be helpful to you.

I really want you to go over to our website, voiceofgodaily.com and pick up our resource we have for you the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.

It will make your home Bible study very, very clear and process oriented.

Let's pray.

Oh Spirit of Truth, we thank you for the gift of growing understanding.

When we are tempted to claim to have all the answers, remind us of Jesus words about truth that we're still learning to handle.

Give us courage to let go of comfortable certainties and embrace the adventure of evolving wisdom.

Help us listen for your voice in unexpected places and people and guide us as we face questions our ancestors never imagined.

May we trust that you're still leading us into deeper truth, especially when the truth challenges our prejudices and privileges.

In the name of the One who promised ongoing revelation, we pray.

Amen.

It's always a joy to have you with me here on Daily Bible Refresh.

I I want you to just lift up again that I have a goal to get the audible word of God into two millionaires.

That's a million people by 2028.

And you are my partner in this by subscribing to the podcast on the website voiceofgoddaily.com or on Apple or on Spotify, and then to share it with others and bring it here.

Bring it with me here tomorrow when we come back together for another episode of the Daily Bible Refresh.

Until then, My name is Dr.

Brad Miller.

Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up.

It's created new every morning.