Most of us, at one time or another in our life, have faced some important decisions that we needed to make, and we were concerned, perhaps even worried, about making the right decision. We wished to have guidance and direction in our decision. A friend or relative may help us, but then again, though they may be well-meaning, they might give us wrong advice. Sometime in the next several weeks my daughter Lucy and I have to make some very important decisions. I’ve made a few bad decisions in my past, and I sure don’t want to this time! Where can we turn to get the best counsel that we need so that we don’t end up making a terrible mistake? In our Scripture from the Gospels today, the Lord Jesus gives us the answer.
Our Scripture passage is another teaching that Jesus gave to His disciples on the night before He was crucified. Over the last several weeks, our Gospel readings have all come from this farewell discourse that Jesus gave. In today’s passage, He is preparing the disciples for His departure, along with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that He would soon be returning to the Father in heaven, and without Him they would be adrift without any help. However, He was not going to leave them alone. The Holy Spirit would be sent, and that was the best possible gift He could give them, and us as well.
When the disciples heard Jesus say that He was going to be going away, they were filled with sorrow (vs. 5-7). They didn’t understand what He was talking about. Was He going to run, escape from the danger of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin? They hesitated to ask, as some might have remembered how Jesus said He was going to be put to death. However, Jesus reassured them that it was necessary for Him to return to the Father in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent, which would indwell each believer.
The Greek word that the Apostle John used in verse 7 to describe the Holy Spirit is “parakletos”, which means someone who is called to one’s side, someone called to one’s aid, an advocate or someone who pleads your case before a judge. When we have something difficult to face, especially if it might involve something legal, we hope that we would have good counsel. We hope that if we need an attorney, he or she would be wise enough to guide us the right way, and be a good defense for us. If we have important decisions to make, we want someone wiser than us by our side to help steer us in the right direction. That is exactly who the Holy Spirit is, whom the Lord has sent to help us.
Jesus continues by describing the work of the Holy Spirit (vs. 8-11). He tells us that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He convicts of sin because people do not believe in the Lord Jesus. They do not believe that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and that He died for their sins. The Holy Spirit convicts of righteousness because Jesus is returning to the Father. He is the sinless Son of God, and returned from whence He came from. And the Holy Spirit convicts in judgment because Satan, the ruler of this world, is judged. The world is guilty before God, and only through faith in Jesus Christ can one be saved.
As we continue reading, we see that the Holy Spirit is our Guide into all truth (vs. 12-13). When Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Guide. At the moment of salvation, everyone who trusts in Jesus is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who promises to lead believers into all truth. We need Him. We need His guidance to make wise choices, and not become trapped by sin that hurts us and damages our relationship with Jesus. Like a built-in compass, if we listen and obey, He will lead us exactly the right way. The Holy Spirit never makes a mistake.
In verses 14-15 we read that God will glorify Jesus by bestowing His blessings upon His followers. All that belongs to the Father belongs to Jesus, and all that belongs to Jesus belongs to us because we are one with Him. The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, reveals, declares, discloses, and transmits all that the Father has given to Jesus unto us, as well.
As we look back over our Scripture passage we see the authority and truth of the Bible. The Holy Spirit is not merely a force, as some people think and teach. He is a divine Person who convicts, teaches, and glorifies Jesus. He helps believers to understand Scripture and to avoid deception. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and truth. Since one of His duties is to convict sinners, it is essential for Christians to preach the Gospel boldly, telling others about Jesus. In closing, when we face those challenging decisions that we all face from time to time, instead of worrying and fretting whether we are making the right choices, and blindly going one way or another, we need to turn to the Holy Spirit in prayer, and follow His guidance and leading.
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