What Jesus Did! 'Another Counselor, A Lasting Comforter' — John 14:15-17

Monday, September 26, 2022

[Jesus continued,] "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you."
— John 14:15-17 NLT

Key Thought

It is so hard to adequately translate the term Jesus uses for the Holy Spirit in John 14. Translators make several different choices - Helper, Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter. Some transliterate the original Greek word and use Paraklete. How we translate the word is not nearly as important as our understanding of the Holy Spirit's presence in Jesus' disciples. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit is one of the most crucial and distinguishing characteristics of a Christian. The world cannot recognize the Spirit's presence, much less receive the Holy Spirit's abiding presence. As Christians, however, we are given the Holy Spirit as a gift when we are saved. The Spirit makes us pure and holy and then lives inside us, making us God's holy temple. What's more, the Spirit's presence is lasting! He won't leave us! Sure, it's possible to "stifle" and "bring sorrow" to the Spirit, [1] but as long as we are seeking to live for God, the Spirit will be with us to strengthen and guide us. [2]

[1] Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
[2] Romans 8:5-11; John 16:13.

Today's Prayer

Father and Lord, you are the holy and righteous God. Your majesty and might are incomparable. But, dear Father, I am a sinner. I have fallen short of your holy standards. I am not worthy to enter your presence. So I thank you today, knowing that your Spirit, my Comforter and Counselor, has purified me and now dwells inside me. By the power of your abiding presence, the Holy Spirit, transform me to be like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 14:15-17 NLT — And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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