Monday, June 13, 2011

The Holy Spirit - our Counselor

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday.
In a certain sense, it is unfortunate that we speak of Pentecost as the coming of the Holy Spirit, as if the Spirit only existed from the first Pentecost Sunday onwards.

Because we all know that the Spirit has been in existence for ever. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Eternally, from even before the beginning of time, from before the creation, into all eternity the Holy Spirit already was. In fact, in the book of Acts, we read that the Spirit already spoke through David and spoke through Isaiah long before Jesus was born.

But on the first Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit came to the Christian Church in a most special way. From that moment the Holy Spirit became the dominant reality in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit came to witness abouth the Father and about Jesus and bring about an intimate relationship between us and our Saviour and Lord.

He came to be our Helper. The Holy Spirit is now the source of all guidance. He is our Comforter, our Advocate, our Counselor. He shows us the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is sincere in his interest in us - he lives in us. He is emphathetic towards our needs - he prays for us in words we do not even know. He does not come to judge us - he convicts us of our sin and weakness and show us a wiser, better, safer, happier way.

Jesus said: “When I go (to heaven), I will not leave you deserted. I will not leave you orphans. But I will send my Spirit, the Counselor, who will live in you and guide you." John 16:5ff)

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