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. (Psalms 32:8, 33:11, 73:24; John 16:5-14; Acts 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
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 supporting you in love, joy, strength and peace that transcends all understanding (Ephesians 3:20). Do you ask the Spirit's counsel? You do have the hotline to God through His Spirit.
God's love lives within us
There is a beautiful principle in Romans 5:5 that teaches us that God has poured His love within us through His Spirit (John 17:26). Looking at the tense of the Greek in this verse, God's love literally lives in us but it also keeps flooding our hearts. God's love isn't rationed out to us here and there. On the contrary, because of the Holy Spirit within there is always an abundance of His love embracing and empowering us. Our faith, peace, grace, hope, and even the ability to persevere tribulations and build godly character are anchored in Jesus' sacrificial love. Remember, He poured His love into us when we were still helpless and in our sinful state. (Romans 5:1-10). No wonder love in Him will never disappoint.
...and 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...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... Romans 5:5,8 ESV®
If you thought 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?
God's love works within
God is working in you, sanctifying you through His Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). We are sanctified or made holy the moment we believe in Jesus by the Spirit. But sanctification is also a process of causing you to be more detached from worldly desires and more attached to Jesus, transforming you into His image. It's allowing the Spirit to set you apart from the desires of the flesh. This maturing brings forth the fruit of the Spirit within us, or God's character in us. (Romans 6:19; 1 Corinthains 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:3-6, 17-18; Galatians 5:22-23).
Don't let the Spirit become background noise to you like the background music in stores, where you notice a song once in a while and maybe even sing along with it. But you need to be aware of the Spirit's presence and listen to Him so He can fill your mind and heart with His choruses of love, wisdom and truth, so you will grow in Jesus. (John 14:16-17, 26; Ephesians 3:16-20). Do you listen to the Spirit?
Life Application
It’s the Spirit
Many of you have people you know who don't believe in Jesus, so you are concerned about their eternity. Did you realize God feels the same way? God doesn't want anyone to perish but all to have eternal life. Read 2 Peter 3:9. Remember, 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 of their need for Jesus. Did you know, you can help the Spirit in encouraging others to find Jesus? Read John 13:34-35, 15:26-27, 16:7-8; Ephesians 6:18-19; Colossians 4:2-6; 1 Peter 3:15. From these passages explain how you can be a witness for God.
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 searching for Him, but I do know my family wanted Ott to go to heaven. So we started faithfully praying, and discussing God's Word with him as the Spirit led. 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.
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 we could safely say that God is truly pleased because we are finally reconciled to Him. (Matthew 18:12-14; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). The (hesed) love relationship that God has always wanted with us has become reality. Even before Jesus' died for us, God's love waited for us and was excited over us. Read Isaiah 49:14-16, 54:5-10; Jeremiah 31:3; Zephaniah 3:17; Ephesians 1:4. What's your favorite verse from these passages, and why is it?
Reflect on Romans 5:5.