Day Twenty Nine: Jesus Promises The Holy Spirit
Throughout this passage, there is an interplay between a believer’s requirement to follow Christ’s commandments (John 14:15) and the coming of the promised Holy Spirit (John 14:16). These two ideas are often pitted against each other as if they were in opposition. But the way Jesus interlaces them seems to communicate that both are essential and related.
In verses 16 and 26, Christ promises that when the Holy Spirit comes, he will be our “helper.” In the original Greek, the term is “paraclete.” Translators have struggled to find a word that adequately describes the weight and meaning of the word paraclete. Other English translations have opted for words like comforter, counselor, or advocate to convey the idea. Paraclete communicates something more than passive assistance only in times of trial, as our translation of “helper” is at risk of conveying.
The Spirit is the continuation of the ministry of Christ, remaining with His Church forever. The Spirit is our “teacher” (John 14:26) who instructs us in the ways of Christ and illuminates our minds to understand and receive the Word of God. The Spirit always prompts the soul to magnify Christ, to see Christ in all things, and to submit one’s whole self unto Christ (John 15:26). The Spirit works through a believer’s prayer life even when they don’t have the words to pray (Romans 8:26).
Were we ever to stand trial and be forced to give an account for our faith, it is promised the Holy Spirit would strengthen us and speak through us of the magnificence of Christ (Mark 13:11). Yes indeed, the Spirit is our helper, but not in some passive sense of weakness, but rather as an all-empowering leader of our soul.
The descriptor of this promised helper in verse 16 is qualified in verse 17 as “the Spirit of truth.” The Spirit serves as an interpreter, discerning truth from error, not just in facts and figures, but more importantly in the ethical life of man. Jesus promised, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him (John 14:21).”
Jesus knew the sin-filled condition of our human hearts. Jesus knew that no one was able to keep his commandments on their own. In his perfect plan, he has sent us a helper to enable us to honor God by living according to His commandments.
A person is not justified by their obedience. They are justified by faith in Christ’s obedience and Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. Yet, when a person believes in Christ and is filled by the Spirit, they are empowered to obey His commands. Obedience is therefore not an effort to justify ourselves before God, but is rather a joy-filled response of love by one who has already been justified freely by God’s grace. Praise God for our paraclete who empowers us for such a life!
In verses 16 and 26, Christ promises that when the Holy Spirit comes, he will be our “helper.” In the original Greek, the term is “paraclete.” Translators have struggled to find a word that adequately describes the weight and meaning of the word paraclete. Other English translations have opted for words like comforter, counselor, or advocate to convey the idea. Paraclete communicates something more than passive assistance only in times of trial, as our translation of “helper” is at risk of conveying.
The Spirit is the continuation of the ministry of Christ, remaining with His Church forever. The Spirit is our “teacher” (John 14:26) who instructs us in the ways of Christ and illuminates our minds to understand and receive the Word of God. The Spirit always prompts the soul to magnify Christ, to see Christ in all things, and to submit one’s whole self unto Christ (John 15:26). The Spirit works through a believer’s prayer life even when they don’t have the words to pray (Romans 8:26).
Were we ever to stand trial and be forced to give an account for our faith, it is promised the Holy Spirit would strengthen us and speak through us of the magnificence of Christ (Mark 13:11). Yes indeed, the Spirit is our helper, but not in some passive sense of weakness, but rather as an all-empowering leader of our soul.
The descriptor of this promised helper in verse 16 is qualified in verse 17 as “the Spirit of truth.” The Spirit serves as an interpreter, discerning truth from error, not just in facts and figures, but more importantly in the ethical life of man. Jesus promised, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him (John 14:21).”
Jesus knew the sin-filled condition of our human hearts. Jesus knew that no one was able to keep his commandments on their own. In his perfect plan, he has sent us a helper to enable us to honor God by living according to His commandments.
A person is not justified by their obedience. They are justified by faith in Christ’s obedience and Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. Yet, when a person believes in Christ and is filled by the Spirit, they are empowered to obey His commands. Obedience is therefore not an effort to justify ourselves before God, but is rather a joy-filled response of love by one who has already been justified freely by God’s grace. Praise God for our paraclete who empowers us for such a life!
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