Sweet Holy Spirit
Please read John 16:5-33
Jesus said to His Disciples, “Unless I go away, the Counselor (Holy Spirit), will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you“. A counselor is one who offers “professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes.” (Merriam-Webster online dictionary) In a way, that’s what the Holy Spirit does for us. The difference is, the Holy Spirit already knows us. He knows our interests and our aptitudes. He knows our case history. He offers the ‘most professional’ of guidance to us.
Romans 8:1-17 speaks of “Life Through the Spirit“. We, who are in Christ Jesus, have an “obligation to live according to the Spirit“. We are controlled not by our sinful nature, but by the Spirit. Easton’s Bible dictionary says, “the consciousness of the gracious operation of the Spirit on the mind, ‘a certitude (a state of being or feeling certain) of the Spirit’s presence and work continually asserted within us”, manifested in his comforting us, his stirring us up to prayer, his reproof of our sins, his drawing us to ‘Works of Love’, to bear testimony before the world,” etc. The Holy Spirit, within us, produces the Fruit of The Spirit (Galatians 5). He dwells and works within us to produce gracious dispositions and habits….wish I could say that I allow him to work within me this way 100% of the time…but then, who of us can say this.
The work of the Spirit is first to convince or reprove in regard to “sin, righteousness and judgement”…then to comfort. He guides into “all truth”. (Truth in the ‘Greek is Aletheia. It is the reality clearly lying before our eyes). Jesus said, “When the Spirit comes, he will guide us into all truth….he will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.” The Holy Spirit convinces all the world that Jesus of Nazareth is Christ. And, that Christ’s righteousness is given to us for justification and salvation. (I always think of righteousness as ‘right living’ and justification as ‘just as if I had not done all those naughty things~sins’) Only Christ’s payment for my sins on the Cross of Calvary can do this for me. Only the Holy Spirit can draw anyone to the Cross of Christ. All of this to glorify Christ.
The Holy Spirit is our comforter, and nothing (nor anyone) can deprive us of our joy. As BELIEVERS, our sight of Christ (keeping Him as our focus, in sight at all times) can determine whether we have joy or sorrow (any kind of emotional, or physical discomfort). As we all know, it is not understood by the world how we can find joy and comfort in sorrowful times…..peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
Jesus reminds the Disciples, again, that anything they ask in His name…they will receive, and their joy will be complete. I’m not sure I truly understand ‘complete’. But, what I do know that all is ‘complete’ with Jesus.
And, (verse 31) aren’t you all glad that Jesus could say to the Disciples, “You Believe at last“! Woohoo! Haleleuja!
Tonight, I will leave you with a song to ponder. Just click on the link, and ENJOY!
“Sweet Holy Spirit” by the Isaacs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vlrn7mVqrw
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 9:51 pm and is filed under Bible Studies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
