And the Holy Spirit, Too

So many times I’ve wished I had more help in my life, to ditch a bad habit (I’ve had lots of those, and still have some) or just be happier. Although I hope your life is better than mine in that way, I imagine we all need help at times. And that’s precisely why Jesus, at the end of his ministry on earth, promised and then sent the Holy Spirit — to help us. Let’s look at that briefly.

In John 14, Jesus is reassuring his disciples that, though he will leave them, they will not be abandoned (v 18) but that the Comforter will come to them. The Greek word there is “parakletos” which means many things, but comes from two other words that literally would be translated “called alongside.” Think of having to move a heavy piece of furniture like a sofa or dining table — nearly impossible by ourselves, but so much simpler with someone on the other end! That’s one of the thoughts here. So the Greek word gets translated variously as “Comforter” “Helper” and “Advocate” (more of a legal term, of someone who speaks up for us, but also an encourager).

Then in Philippians 4:12-13, Paul writes "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Notice, it is God the Holy Spirit in us that allows us to desire to follow Jesus, and giving us the power to follow. We’re never left on our own to figure it out, or “do the doing” ourselves — yet, at the same time, we must still choose whether to follow that prompting. Let’s not forget, though, that the prompting we are receiving is from the mind and authority of the Creator of the universe — so let’s not take those lightly!!

Dear friends, we have enough help every day, through the Holy Spirit’s work in us, to live a life pleasing to God and to the Savior! We are indeed, not left abandoned or orphaned, but are given the mind of Jesus Christ. If the Son of God had not been born into human flesh, taken on our weaknesses and cured them, giving us a whole new humanity, and then had not sent us his own Spirit, our days would be gloomy for sure! But those things are true, and we can rely on God the Holy Spirit for encouragement and help, in every part of our lives. Isn’t that good news — part of the awesomely good news that goes along with the birth of Jesus we will celebrate soon?