The Holy Spirit
When Jesus knew His death was near, He spent some time with His disciples trying to comfort them. He explained that His Father’s house had many mansions, and He was going there to prepare one for each of them (John 14:2)1. Jesus explained that because they truly knew Him, they could ask the Father for anything in His name, and they would receive it (John 14:14). He then told the disciples that if they love Him and keep His commands, He would send them an advocate that would always be with them (John 14:16). This advocate, the Holy Spirit, is a beautiful piece of God that brings us comfort, gives us strength, and helps us become who God wants us to be.
The moment we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. We are His temple, and He sees and hears everything we do. This is an extremely special relationship that does not come and go but is constant so that a believer’s character can be defined.2 When you recognize this, it makes it much more difficult to sin. 1 John 3:9 tells us that anyone born of God cannot continue sinning because God’s seed is in him. The Holy Spirit does not condemn our bad choices but helps to convict our hearts so that we come to realize our sins.
Jesus tells us throughout the Bible that the most important thing we can do is love others. That is not always an easy task, but the Holy Spirit can help us. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 that the Spirit gives us love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Having these attributes allows us to deny our fleshly desires and put other’s needs above our own, which glorifies Christ.
During this life we face many trials, Jesus knew it would be this way. He knew that the broken world we live in would be filled with hate, evil, sickness, and death. He is so loving that He wants to comfort us during these difficult moments. That is one of the biggest roles of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that He will fill us with peace and joy so that we can overflow with hope (Romans 15:13). Without the Holy Spirit guiding, comforting, loving, and helping us it would be impossible to live a life that would bring God glory and allow us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. How great is it that God knew this and sent us the perfect advocate?
1. Unless otherwise noted all Biblical references are from the New International Version.
2. Dr. Harrold L. Willmington, Willmington’s Guide to the Bible (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.), 533
