One and the same
Exploring faith and learning more about God, seems to come with opposition these days. When we read the bible, it’s possible to imagine things were so much easier for early followers while Jesus was with them. After all, any opposition they may have faced was mostly aimed at Christ himself and He protected those who followed Him. Jesus knew how important this role was to all who seek to follow Him and did not want us to walk through life alone either.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. – John 14:15-18
The word helper, carries with it the sense of one who comes alongside as an advocate, comforter and friend. Without this kind of helper, we might feel abandoned and alone as orphans in the world. The comfort God gives us takes away the fear of men or things of this world, because He is bigger than anything we will face on earth and He is on our side.
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? – Isaiah 51:12
Jesus was the helper to those who followed Him and He was clear in His intention to ensure we still enjoy the security this brings today. Having Jesus near to them, always available to help and guide them, must have been great comfort indeed. Holy Spirit is now the one who will be this close and comfort in the same way. Jesus is still as interested in the progression and success of His body, the church. When God gives an alternative, it is always fit for purpose.
Some years ago, we took a family holiday. The intention was to have a long road trip, stopping off at interesting places as we went. We booked a hire car just big enough to take all four of us and our luggage comfortably. When we arrived at the car hire company, the car we booked was not available, but they went to look for an alternative. We would have been very disappointed if they came back with four bicycles and a trailer.
If we get offered an alternative, it has to fulfil the same purpose as the original and meet our needs in the same way. Holy Spirit is not just a poor alternative to Christ, but He is one and the same in power and purpose. He is an equal part of the godhead and will be as close in your life as Christ Jesus was to the early followers. Holy Spirit will help you and guide you to fulfil the purposes of God in your life.
The relationship we have with Holy Spirit is the way in which God comes into our lives with supernatural power. We must value that relationship above the things of this world and like any relationship, we must keep communication open. Because of this relationship, we can live our lives knowing that God is with us wherever we go and we must be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit through what we say and do.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30
We must remember that you are not alone or without power today. Holy Spirit power is with us to guide and change the natural scheme of things in the same way it was for the early believers. As we develop our relationship with Him and trust in Him to be with us, so our confidence grows along with our love for God. How wonderful it is to know that Christ has not left us as orphans, but we now have another, just like Him to comfort and guide us through life.