In review of John 14:16-17 I read, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Helper), who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” (NLT)
The word translated "Advocate" combines the ideas of comfort and counsel. The word could also be translated Comforter, Encourager, Helper or Counselor. The Holy Spirit is a powerful person who is on my side, working for and with me.
The Holy Spirit will never leave me. The world at large cannot receive him, he lives with me and in me, he teaches me and reminds me of Jesus' words. He convicts me of sin, shows me God's righteousness, and announces God's judgment on evil. He guides me into truth and gives me insight into future events. He brings glory to Christ's power. Many are unaware of the Holy Spirit's activities, but because I hear Christ's words and understand the Spirit's power, the Spirit gives a whole new way to look at life.
It’s like taking a trip and hiring a guide. The guide shares insights and experiences that I would have completely missed if I was on my own. I would have picked the wrong restaurants and seen the wrong things. But because I had a personal guide, I would have the best experience possible.
In some ways, my life is like a trip. I have the choice of just wandering through on my own or getting a personal guide.
The good news is that God has provided me with both a guidebook (the Bible) and a personal guide (the Holy Spirit) for life.
Why would Jesus return to heaven after his resurrection rather than just staying here on earth? He could have given all of us an ongoing, physical model of how to live. But instead Jesus told his followers that it was better for him to leave.
He said: “It’s good for you that I’m going away. If I don’t go away, the helper won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7 GW).
How could this helper be better than having Jesus in the flesh?
In John 14, Jesus explains: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 GW).
When Jesus was physically present on earth, he was limited to one location, to wherever his physical body was at the time. But the Holy Spirit can be everywhere. He is in all of Jesus’ followers including me, helping all of us at the same time.
One of the most important things I can learn in life is how to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14 says, “Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children” (CEV). If I am a child of God, the Holy Spirit will guide and lead me.
When I started my Christian life, I was not very good at being led by the Spirit. I don’t know his voice. But as my relationship with the Lord grows, I start to recognize his voice and know where he is leading me.
As I journey through life, I don’t need to do it on my own. I need to use the Holy Spirit as my guide. Continue in getting to know his voice, and to follow where he leads.
In summary, the Father gives me another Advocate (Helper), who will never leave me. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. I will know him, because he lives in me. The Holy Spirit is on my side, working for and with me. He teaches me and reminds me of Jesus' words. He convicts me of sin, shows me God's righteousness. He guides me into truth and gives me insight. He brings glory to Christ's power. So I have the choice to just wander around on my own or to use the personal guide God gives me. As my relationship with the Lord continues to grow I can learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit. I can start to recognize his voice and get to know and follow where he leads me.
Father, this morning I thank you for providing a counselor and helper who lives with me to help guide and lead me. I pray that I continue to learn to hear his voice and follow his promptings. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, what I do and how I lead. Help me with my interactions allowing my speech and thoughts to be full of grace and of assistance. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, Amen.
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