I was listening to a sermon this week on the Sermon Audio app I have on my phone. The pastor was teaching his congregation 5 interesting facts about the Holy Spirit. The message was based on John 14:16-18:
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. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
He talked about the word "Helper" in verse 16. The Greek word used here is "parakletos." In some Biblical translations, this word appears as "helper." It also appears as "comforter," or "counselor." He talked about all the implications that the word parakletos has and what Jesus meant when he used the word to describe a distinct role of the Holy Spirit. I found it very interesting when he described how the Holy Spirit is our counselor.
He describes the word Helper as the broadest word to describe the Spirit's ministry. We have need for help in every aspect of the Christian life. He helps us in our worship, prayer, and in our obedience. The Spirit enables us to do these greater works. No one can pray, witness, worship. or obey apart from the holy Spirit. He is our Helper. Jesus doesn't leave us as orphans... He doesn't leave us helpless... He sends us a Helper.
The word "comforter" is a bit narrower than "helper.' The Holy Spirit has a comforting work. We don't have to walk in fear of man, rather, we walk in the fear of God, because we have a comforter. He comforts us by applying the Word of God to our hearts. He comforts us by pouring out the love of God in our hearts. He helps us in our obedience, yes, but also comforts us in the process of it. He works joy and comfort in our heart in the midst of trial.
Now here is where my eyes were opened in a new way... the word "counselor." Commonly, in the English language, we hear the word "counselor" and think of an adviser or supervisor. Often we think of a person who offers advice to another or even some sort of a chaperone. I honestly had never heard the word "counselor" used to describe an advocate or a lawyer. The pastor talked about how the Holy Spirit is our counselor, not in that He offers us advice, but that He our representative in "legal affairs."
We have two advocates: We have one in heaven and we have one in our conscience. Christ is our heavenly advocate, who is pleading His own righteousness in our place. He is standing before the Father, representing us to Him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor in our conscience and He pleads the merits of Christ for us as well! He takes up residence in our hearts and protects us on earth. Christ represents us in the heavenly courtroom, and the Holy Spirit stands as our advocate in the courtroom of our conscience, defending us from all accusations of our enemies, reminding us that we have an advocate in heaven! What a beautiful thing that gave us not only one, but TWO advocates! I'm so grateful that we have all-together righteous and perfect representatives standing on our behalf!
The word "comforter" is a bit narrower than "helper.' The Holy Spirit has a comforting work. We don't have to walk in fear of man, rather, we walk in the fear of God, because we have a comforter. He comforts us by applying the Word of God to our hearts. He comforts us by pouring out the love of God in our hearts. He helps us in our obedience, yes, but also comforts us in the process of it. He works joy and comfort in our heart in the midst of trial.
Now here is where my eyes were opened in a new way... the word "counselor." Commonly, in the English language, we hear the word "counselor" and think of an adviser or supervisor. Often we think of a person who offers advice to another or even some sort of a chaperone. I honestly had never heard the word "counselor" used to describe an advocate or a lawyer. The pastor talked about how the Holy Spirit is our counselor, not in that He offers us advice, but that He our representative in "legal affairs."
We have two advocates: We have one in heaven and we have one in our conscience. Christ is our heavenly advocate, who is pleading His own righteousness in our place. He is standing before the Father, representing us to Him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor in our conscience and He pleads the merits of Christ for us as well! He takes up residence in our hearts and protects us on earth. Christ represents us in the heavenly courtroom, and the Holy Spirit stands as our advocate in the courtroom of our conscience, defending us from all accusations of our enemies, reminding us that we have an advocate in heaven! What a beautiful thing that gave us not only one, but TWO advocates! I'm so grateful that we have all-together righteous and perfect representatives standing on our behalf!
RSS Feed
