John 16:1-12

“And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me” (v3).  Jesus declared that his disciples would be persecuted by people who thought that they were serving God (v2), while ignoring Jesus, the very image of God.  Part of the role of the Holy Spirit is helping us understand that sin comes from refusing to believe God’s love, justice, mercy and power, His character, was perfectly revealed in Jesus (v7-9).

“I have said these things to you to keep you from falling away” (v1).  Jesus didn’t want us to be led astray by false gods: we know exactly what the Father is like because we know the Son.