DAY 2: THE COUNSELOR, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
Read John 14:15-18.
The Holy Spirit as Counselor; He is given in response to our love of and subsequent obedience to God (v. 15). And out of God’s love for us, he does not leave us alone (“I will not leave you as orphans” – v. 18). Our love relationship with God – both our love for Him and His love for us – is the basis for the Holy Spirit’s presence with us.
In a narrow sense, the term “Counselor” (Grk. parakletos) carries the idea of pleading for one’s defense as in the legal sense of the word. In a wider sense, it refers to one who helps or assists others. The picture of the Holy Spirit as One who stands by us out of an abiding relationship with the Father means we never have to go it alone. The Holy Spirit is not given for mere legal support. He is also given to help us navigate life in relationship with the Father. He is the One who keeps us connected with the Father. He is the One who keeps us from being orphans in this dark world.
How does the Holy Spirit help us? As His children, the Holy Spirit enables us to understand truth (hence, the title “Spirit of truth” in v. 17; 14:26; 15:26; 16:13 – Note: in every use of the title “Counselor”, reference is made to the “Spirit of truth” or to His teaching ministry; see also 1Cor. 2:10-14), which we have seen in previous weeks is essential to abiding in Christ (see John 15:7, 9-10; 17:7).
Personal thought:
I was personally surprised at the emphasis of “truth” and “teaching” in relation to the Holy Spirit as Counselor. Combined with the obvious care of God for His children, particularly the concern of abandonment, I see God wanting a relationship with us by building it on truth and the teachings of Christ. Not surprising then is Jesus’ declaration that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). The Holy Spirit’s role to guide and teach us the truth is a key to building a healthy relationship with the Father.
Furthermore, Jesus was so concerned about the relational that He chose to leave His disciples. Yes, He chose to leave His disciples. Isn’t that a contradiction? Not at all. Christ could have chosen to stay with His disciples after His resurrection, but said it was better to leave so the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, could come. In so doing, it is remarkable that better than having restricted access to Jesus in physical form, there is now unlimited access to Jesus through the Holy Spirit as He indwells every believer through every generation. Ingenious!
To consider:
How has the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, worked in your life as you have learned more about God through reading the Word, through teaching, through meditating on the truth? What have you learned lately about God that has impacted your love for Him?
September 30th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Thanks Mike. During Sunday School last week, one of my students commented that it would have been great to see Jesus while He was on the earth. I know I have thought that, and I bet most of us have. And while I still think that is true, it IS remarkable that Jesus knew it was better for the disciples and US to have the Holy Spirit rather than His own physical presence.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I appreciate your teaching on the Holy Spirit very much. It is so important! I look forward to the other days.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I think it is easy to forget that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. I know personally I get way too caught up in planning that when things don’t go “my” way it can be depressing. Lately, through the Holy Spirit, God has been reminding me that I am part of his plan and that I can have peace in knowing I have a Heavenly Father who loves me.