The Spirit with love
Day 35
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Our Helper, Comforter, Counselor
Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Helper, Comforter or Counselor, depending upon the version of your Bible. The word in the Greek language is parakletos and it means: One who comes forward on behalf of or representative of another. To speak to, comfort, exhort, encourage, empower and advocate. Jesus clearly indicated that the Holy Spirit is equal to Himself, and will be His proxy since Jesus wouldn't be physically in the world anymore. Jesus loves us too much to leave us alone so He sends His Spirit to live within us. Compassionate reality, isn't it?
Just thinking about the names: Helper-Comforter-Counselor gives us a magnificent view of what the Spirit does for us. I have a Masters in Social Work degree with an emphasis on counseling. Therefore, I understand what a counselor should be doing. Yes there are some bad counselors but a good one can be a lifesaver, encourager, comforter, exhorter and advocate. A counselor should empower people to live a good and purposeful life. I think you would agree the Holy Spirit does all these things and much more.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you... In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 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... These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:16-27 ESV®
Consider this: Jesus Christ gave us His Spirit to be our Wonderful Counselor. He understands you far, far better than you understand yourself. So run to Jesus seeking His counsel. His Spirit within you is sustaining you in love, joy, strength and peace that transcends all understanding (Ephesians 3:16-20). Do you ask the Spirit's counsel? You do have the hotline to God through His Spirit. (Psalms 32:8, 33:11, 73:23-24).
God's love lives within us
We are told in Romans 5:5 that God's love is poured within us through His Spirit (John 17:26). Romans 5:5 says, "...hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." The phrase poured into from the tense of the Greek means - the Holy Spirt pours into us God's love and still is flooding our hearts with God's love. God's love isn't given to you temporarily but permanently because the Spirit dwells in you. You are loved, not just a little, but deeply and always and not just by anyone, but by the One who created you to love you. This verse underscores the depth of God's love for us, doesn't it?
If you thought the story Romeo and Juliet is the essence of a love story, just think of the fact your God died so your heart could be filled with His love. Now that's a love story for the ages. When doubts about His love seem to be stalking you, know that He choose to have His Spirit of love within you (Romans 15:30). Did you know His love lives within you?
Pursued by the Spirit
God's messenger of love isn't cupid's arrows but God's Spirit (Romans 15:30), and one of His jobs is convincing people of their sin and their need for Jesus. John 16:8 says, "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." The Spirit awakens our hearts to Jesus if we let Him (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Did you know, you can help the Spirit to lead people to Jesus? John 15:26-27 says, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness...” Ephesians 6:18-20, Colossians 4:2-6, and 1 Peter 3:15 offer guidance on how the Spirit helps us lead people to Jesus.
I used my uncle Ott as an illustration some days back. Remember him calling out to Jesus on an ambulance ride just a few months before he died. As you know, Ott wanting Jesus in his life didn't just start as he barreled down the highway dying. Only the Spirit knows when Ott's heart started to be open to Him. But I do know my family wanted Ott to go to heaven, so we faithfully prayed for him. When we heard the story of Ott screaming for Jesus in the ambulance, we knew the Spirit had convinced him of Jesus and answered our prayers. Maybe you have a story or two on how God used you to be a witness for Him.
Life Application
God's love works within
To further understand the Spirit's work: Read Titus 3:3-7. We were disobedient to God, slaves to our passions, pleasures, with envying and hating, when the triune God working in love, saved us from our sins to regenerate and renew us spiritually, so we would have the hope of eternal life. The Spirit does the spiritual awakening in us, "by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (John 6:63). How would our lives be without His Spirit within?
What does regeneration and renewal mean? Regeneration and renewal go together; with regeneration preceding and giving rise to renewal. We don't see regeneration in our lives; it is an act done by God, entirely through His Spirit. It's an initial spiritual awakening and cleansing, breaking sin's hold on us. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 6:11). Regeneration imparts a new life or a new birth in us, making us a new creation in Jesus (John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Renewal is a process that we can see in our lives, because it involves making us a different person. The Holy Spirit matures us in Jesus, if we actively engage with the Spirit's guidance. Ask yourself, are you allowing the Spirit to influence you, making you more like Jesus? Or are you letting the world influence you? (Romans 12:1-2). You have a choice.
God is working in you, sanctifying you through His Spirit. We are sanctified or made holy the moment we believe in Jesus by the Spirit. However, sanctification is also a process like renewal, causing you to be more detached from worldly desires and more attached to Jesus, transforming you into His image. This maturing brings forth God's character in us, the fruit of the Spirit. Furthermore, sanctification means letting the Spirit set you apart from the desires of your sinful self. You could also say sanctification is about growing in holiness. Read Romans 6:19-22; 1 Corinthains 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 3:3-6, 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2. Describe sanctification.
To ponder: How do you feel, as you wait to be with someone you love? You can't wait, can you? There is excitement in your heart, isn't there? How do you think God feels when you become His through His Spirit? I think it's safe to say that God experiences great joy. The (hesed) love relationship that God has always wanted with us has become reality. Read Psalm 17:6-8; Jeremiah 31:3; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 5:5, 14:17; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 3:1. Describe God's desire for a relationship with us. What type of relationship?
Reflect on Romans 5:5.