In the Gospel of John, 16: 7-15, Jesus mentioned several things that the Holy Spirit will do for us when He comes. Unfortunately, while many believers have the Holy Spirit in their lives today, they do not know this to be a reality. As an example, I think of a baby who has received a huge inheritance but is very much unaware, oblivious and unconcerned about its values. Today, believers are in the same position.
Comfort and Truth
Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit continues to strive with us despite our inability to recognise Him and His guidance in our lives. He is actively involved in every facet of our lives to bring comfort and truth.
Speaking directly about the works of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 16: 7-11,
“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. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Unlimited Guidance
Prior to Jesus’ departing the world, the Holy Spirit was active in the lives of His disciples but in limited measures. However, He spoke of when He will be released into the world in greater unlimited measures. This demonstration and outpouring of the Holy Spirit can only take place, as Jesus explains when He leaves the world. It is, therefore, to the advantage of the believers that Jesus departs. Thus, while Jesus sought to bring comfort to His disciples, at the same time, He also confirmed the prophetic declaration of Joel.
“And it shall come to pass afterwards That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).
When the Holy Spirit was fully outpoured on the day of Pentecost, Peter brought apostolic definition to this movement by explaining that it fulfilled Joel’s prophecy. Dr. Luke records this event in Acts 2:15-18.
“For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they shall prophesy.”
Active Involvement
It is of interest to observe that the Holy Spirit deals with the world different from that of the believers in Christ. This distinction is paramount for believers to understand because we often associate the conviction of sin of the believers with the work of the Holy Spirit. We must know and understand that the Holy Spirit’s active involvement in the believer’s life is different from that of the world.
Regarding the world, Jesus identifies three things that the Holy Spirit will do when He comes: He will convince 1) the world of its sin, 2) the availability of God’s Goodness, and 3) the deliverance from Judgement. Further, for the believers in Christ, Jesus provides a separate list of works of the Holy Spirit.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore, I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you”.
Is there anything more fascinating than to be led by the Holy Spirit?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
