John 14:15-17 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Verse 15 has always challenged me personally. Jesus tells us that the measure of our love is obedience to His word. It’s pretty straightforward: “If you love me, keep My commandments.” May it challenge you today as well.
Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Helper and the Spirit of truth. These designations reveals two functions that would be critical to believers upon the departure of Jesus from the earth. The world “Helper” in Greek means Intercessor, Consoler, and Advocate. As an Intercessor the Holy Spirit is ever working on our behalf. He is praying for us and mediating for us. As Console, the Holy Spirit assuages our grief and pain and sorrow. He is the Comforter who aids us in our time of need. As Advocate, the Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf and defends us.
One of the dangers to the early church would be error that would creep in from false teachers to corrupt the purity of the teachings of Christ. With Jesus absent, who would be the the authority to maintain the doctoring of the church? The Spirit of truth was given by Jesus to avoid error and preserve the teachings of the gospels. He’s done a pretty good job. There have been many attempts to twist, pollute and even destroy the word of God. The Spirit of truth has been the Guardian of scripture for 2,000 years and has never failed.
The most amazing promise of today’s text regarding the Holy Spirit is in verse 17: “…for He dwells with you and will be in you.” Talk about divine help! The Holy Spirit is promised to be a constant presence in our lives. Be encouraged my friend. The help you need is already here!