OUR GREAT ADVANTAGE
JOHN 16:7, 13 NKJV
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
When Jesus shared with His disciples that it was better for them if He left, I can only imagine the looks on their faces.
Jesus had been the best and most exciting thing that had ever happened to them. Life with Him was challenging but very meaningful. And now He is leaving. What gives?
But what Jesus said would happen is both exciting and comforting.
He left to sit at the right hand of the Father, but He sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not the third-rate member of the Trinity. He is the same Spirit present and active at the creation of the world. The same Spirit that empowered the Old Testament heroes like David, Samson, Moses, and Elijah. The Holy Spirit is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. And this same Holy Spirit has come to live in us to empower and help us.
Jesus mentioned some of the Holy Spirit's role in verses 8-11, but I want to focus on verse 13.
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth. And He will guide us into all truth. With the increasing amounts of deception we are seeing in these days, having the Spirit of truth helping us is so very valuable.
And He will show us things to come. We don't have the ability to see the future. We can guess and speculate, but He can see clearly around the corners of our lives. What an amazing advantage.
APPLICATION:
Learning about the Holy Spirit and how we can cooperate with Him is a continual process. But becoming more aware of Him and His help is one of the greatest advantages of this Christian life.
Don't try to live this life limited to your own ability and intellect. Welcome the Helper into your life and receive the advantages He can bring.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank You that He is helping me every day. I am not alone.