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Jun 07, 2024 06:00am

The Power of the Holy Spirit

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Remember the days when your house only had one computer? They weren’t little laptops you could carry anywhere in the house either. It was set up in a central location where everything was monitored and everyone had to take turns.

The wait felt like forever.

There were things you needed to know, things you needed to do on that computer. But, you had to share.

You dreamed of the day when you would have your own. The laptop was invented and now, I’m holding my hand, a personal computer – the iPhone.

It’s nothing short of amazing.

John 15:26-27
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

John 16:5-15
“But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

The Holy Spirit. Who is He? Where does He come from? What does He do? Why does Jesus say it is better for the disciples that He leaves them and sends the Holy Spirit instead?

Let’s dive in!

These two passages of scriptures answer these questions. Who is He and where does He come from? Look at verse 26 – “proceed with from the Father”. This is the Spirit of God, not an angel. Look at the names of the Holy Spirit – “Comforter” and “Spirit of Truth”. Not only does this tell us more about who He is, but about what He does and will do.

The Holy Spirit as the Comforter speaks to our needs for encouragement, strengthening, and need for help. His care for us is perfect and just as we need at any given time.

The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth guides us as we study Gods Word, revealing the truth to us, helping us grow in knowledge, grace, and wisdom and reminds us of His truth when we need it.

His purpose continues as we read through the passage. We see the word “reprove” in verse 8. This is translated convict. This means it brings to our attention our faults, our wrongdoings, our sins. It exposes them by bringing them to light, where we see it for what it is. Then we make a choice about our next step. Will we surrender to the truth and repent of that sin or will we ignore it and try to manage on our own? Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of those that don’t believe in Him. All have an opportunity to believe. We all are called by the Holy Spirit, convicted of our unbelief, but not all will choose to believe.

Because of the Holy Spirit, when we make that choice to believe in Him, righteousness is made available to us from the Father (vs. 10). We have no ability to receive righteousness other than through Jesus Christ. Only through Him can we be justified before the Father.

And judgement will come because the ruler or “prince” of this world, as verse 11 describes him, has already been judged. His time is coming. Along with him with be judgment and punishment for all those who have rejected God.

The Spirit of Truth comes to each person who believes in Jesus. This is why He said it was better for Him to go away. No longer do they have to share Jesus, but they will each have the Holy Spirit to guide them. Kind of like when we didn’t have to share that computer anymore.

The Holy Spirit guides us, shows us the truth, glorifies the Father, and receives those who accept Christ as their Savior.

According to Jesus – This Spirit is available to ALL who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and submit to following Him. It’s not just for the “elite” the “super religious” or a “chosen few”. It states that He discerns truth from the Word of God, not created confusion with utterances of some angelic language or speech.

God’s Spirit is available to all who believe in Him and repent of their sins. And He’s always available, always working on our behalf, leading, convicting, and showing us the truth.

Praise the Lord!