Pastor’s Blog 4.18.18
John 14:15-17a (TPT)
Jesus Prophesies about the Holy Spirit
“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. 16–17 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you.”
After 36 years of serving Christ, and thirty-two years of church planting as a Senior Pastor, I still stand amazed at how many Christians and churches do not take the promises of life, with the Holy Spirit, as a living reality. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is not meant to be an “ideal”, but an experienced reality.
The translator of the Passion version gave this footnote on why he translated the word savior in this passage:
l. 14:16–17 The Greek word used here is paráklētos, a technical word that could be translated “defense attorney.” It means “one called to stand next to you as a helper.” Various translations have rendered this “Counselor,” “Comforter,” “Advocate,” “Encourager,” “Intercessor,” or “Helper.” However none of these words alone are adequate and fall short in explaining the full meaning. The translator has chosen the word Savior, for it depicts the role of the Holy Spirit to protect, defend, and save us from our self and our enemies and keep us whole and healed. He is the One who guides and defends, comforts and consoles. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, our Savior. The Aramaic word is paraqleta, which is taken from two root words: (1) praq, “to end, finish, or to save,” and (2) lyta, which means “the curse.” What a beautiful word picture, the Holy Spirit comes to end the work of the curse (of sin) in our lives and to save us from its every effect! Paraqleta means “a redeemer who ends the curse.” (See Strong’s Concordance, Gr. 6561 and 6562; A Compendious Syriac Dictionary, p. 237; and Oraham’s Dictionary, p. 250.)
It is no wonder why Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1 not to go into the world until they were “endued with power”. When I became a believer, I spent weeks seeking the endowment of power…and I got it! However, it did not happen the moment I received Christ. I know I was born again the moment I received Him, but I knew instinctively there was more! Therefore, I studied the scriptures and cried out in prayer until the power came! I know that we are going to need the power of God to face the things that will be coming on the earth! There is a scripture that comes to mind here:
Jeremiah 12:5
5 “The LORD Answers Jeremiah “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” NKJV
I see people forsaking their walk with God over such trivial things today; imagine the departure when we face real persecution- even death for our faith? I am holding onto the Person, Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit, and thanking my God daily for the manifest presence in my life! I hope you are too! I don’t want to do life one day without Him or one Church service without Him! To me, His presence in my life daily, is mandatory in all that I do.
Being a Christian is more than just following doctrine, it also means following the Spirit of God, and they will NEVER disagree! My God is not just a doctrine, but pure doctrine describes Him, so I will not follow another spirit!
Romans 8:13-17 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,”Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” NKJV
Embrace the Holy Spirit today!
Until next week – be blessed!
Pastor Dave
- Date - April 18, 2018
- Author - David Chisholm
