Christ Our Advocate By Russ Kujawski
1John 2:1-6
1My little children, I am writing these
things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin,
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only
but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And by this we know
that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4Whoever
says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the
truth is not in him, 5but whoever keeps his word, in him truly
the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he
walked.
What does it mean Jesus Christ is our advocate?
·
What is an Advocate?
·
Why do we need an advocate?
·
Who is Jesus that he can be our advocate?
·
How does Jesus being our advocate compare with
the Holy Spirit being our advocate? Final Thoughts
Advocate Defined
Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of an advocate
·
: one who pleads the cause of
another; specifically: one who pleads the cause of another
before a tribunal or
judicial court
Holman Bible Dictionary defines advocate
·
:one who intercedes in behalf of another
Blue Letter Bible Strong’s #G3875
·
Greek: paraklētos
·
The KJV translates Strong's G3875 in the
following manner: comforter (4x), advocate (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage:
·
summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to
one's aid
·
one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a
pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
·
one who pleads another's cause with one, an
intercessor
·
of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand,
pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
·
in the widest sense, a helper, aider, assistant
·
of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of
Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a
deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to
enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
Strong’s Definitions (Strong’s Definitions Legend)
·
παράκλητος paráklētos, par-ak'-lay-tos; an
intercessor, consoler: —advocate, comforter.
An advocate is someone who is the go between an advocate
intercedes on behalf of someone. An advocate comes to the defense of someone.
Christ is our advocate on our behalf before the father. He gives a defense and
if I may use the word in a broader context than its normal use he gives and “apologia”.
Why do we need an Advocate?
1 John2: 2 My little children, I am writing these things to
you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Why do we need an
advocate? Because even Christians fail, make mistakes, the word some Christians
don’t like using “we sin”. We are not perfect, for if we where we would have no
need for Christ as our advocate. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 do not be conformed
by the world but be
transformed by the renewing of our mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
What is Paul saying? as a
Christian we are not to be going the way of the world but go the way of Christ
by renewing our mind. How do we renew our mind? Prayer, study Gods word,
meditate on God’s word, be in a good Bible teaching church and or Bible study.
If I can say this with out to much blow back. Renewing your mind is a DAILY
ACTIVITY not in a legalistic sense of works but because you desire to, its Gods
will for us too. Not just on Sunday, or Wednesday or when you might be feeling
guilty. It’s a daily life long process. Not a once a week thing. There are too
many people who call themselves “Christians” Who go to church on Sunday because
that’s how they were raised it’s their tradition. TRADITION WON” T SAVE YOU
In Mark 7 the Pharisees asked Jesus why did his disciples break
from tradition of the elders and eat with unclean hands. Jesus response goes
straight to the point.
Mark 7: 6 And
he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it
is written,
“‘This people honors me
with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
What’s this verse saying? you honor me (God) with your lips, you
say you love me, you say I’ll follow you but your heart follows the teachings
of man not God. As part of those teachings there would be some traditions that
are not Godly traditions, but man made traditions. Traditions are not equal to
the to the word of God. If the tradition is supported by the Word of God then
its probably OK but if not supported, then it’s not OK. Example there are some who pray to the dead
for intersession as the go-between to God. What’s scripture say about praying
to the dead or making inquiries of the dead?
Deuteronomy 18:9-12English Standard Version (ESV)
9 “When you come into the land that
the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow
the abominable practices of those nations.10 There shall not be found among you
anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone
who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens,
or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium
or a necromancer or one who
inquires of the dead, 12 for
whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.
And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving
them out before you.
The Hebrews or Israelites are coming into the land that God has
given them and God tells them “you shall not follow the
practices of the nations they are entering it is an **abomination**” God is
pretty clear here it doesn’t say “try not to, you shouldn’t, it says you SHALL
NOT!!!” it’s a command not a suggestion. Verse 10 again YOU
SHALL NOT, there’s the command have among you then the list of
things that’s an abomination, but focus on the last one “inquires of the dead” These
type of people who practiced the things listed in v10 and v11 were being driven out before them because of
the practices, then how much more of an abomination is it for those who are
Gods children that practice these things “praying to the dead” Praying to the
dead does indeed go against God and his command of “you shall not” Herse
another verse in Leviticus.
Leviticus 20:6-7English
Standard Version (ESV)
6 “If a
person turns to mediums and **necromancers**, whoring after them, I(God)
will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his
people. 7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be
holy, for I am the Lord your God.
If seeking the dead was ok to do then there wouldn’t be verses
like this one in Leviticus, or Deuteronomy. Instead of seeking the dead we
should **consecrate** ourselves to God that is dedicate ourselves
to God and be Holy. Consecrate is a verb it’s an action word, Gods call for us
to consecrate ourselves is a call to Action! A Call to Obideance!
Foot Notes
**Abomination=a thing that causes disgust or hatred**
**Necromancy=practice of magic involving communication with the
deceased**
**Consecrate=to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be
hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate**verb=action
So, as I have shown praying to the dead is wrong!!!!!! 1 Timothy2:5 For there is one God, and there
is one mediator between God and men,
the man[fn] Christ Jesus,
[fn] men and man render
the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and
4
Don’t get me wrong some
traditions are good, going to church is a good tradition. But are you like the
Pharisees and honor God with your lips but your heart is far away.
Dan 10:12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for
from the first day that you set your
heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words
have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
Where is your heart set? To be transformed by the renewing of your
mind is more than a traditional Sunday visit to church it is a daily activity
that you participate in. And by doing so we get better at discerning the will
of God and battling the fleshly desire to sin. Being transformed into the
knowledge and image of the creator.
Why do we sin as a
Christian? There are several reasons but I’ll just speak of just one. As we
renew are minds daily the complete renewal won’t happen until we go home to be
with the Lord.
When we come to Christ we are a new creation as Colossians says
put off the old that which is worldly in you, that is the old man, old self,
old nature and put on the new man, new self, new nature that is being
renewed in knowledge after the image of the creator. This is
internal in our spirit. Yet our spirit is
still surrounded by unredeemed flesh, decomposing flesh, sinful flesh,
unregenerate flesh. The flesh is weak, the flesh doesn’t seem to stand up
against sinful temptations very well. That’s why we need to renew our minds
be in touch with God daily having put on the armor of God and not
removing it. Before we were Christians our life style was to sin.
When you come to Christ and repent we turn away from sin, we must stop living
the life style of sin. As Jesus told the woman at the well who was a prostitute
“John 8:10 Jesus stood up and said to
her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one,
Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I
condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” In other words, she was
to no longer live that life style of sin. When we come to faith in Christ we
are to no longer live a lifestyle of sin. But because of our sinful flesh we
will have times of failure, times when we fail to listen to the Holy
spirit. We will sin. Call it a mistake
or whatever you want if it goes against Gods moral laws it is sin. Hence why we
need an Advocate before God.
Now to get back to the key verse: 1John 2:1-6
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may
not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
When John say’s my little children he is speaking to believers,
probably those he had a hand in bring to Christ. And he tells them “IF “(there’s that giant 2 letter word IF) 9
you do sin there is one to go before the father on your behalf. If
Christians did not sin, then there would be no need for this verse or any
others like it. But we do sin. Our earthly, worldly, unredeemed flesh is weak
it doesn’t fight against sin very well.
Who is Jesus that he can be are advocate to the Father?
To determine this, we need to look at what was required for a
sacrifice when Old Testament people sinned. In Leviticus 4 are the laws for a
sin offering. In this portion of scripture, it mentions the requirements for
sin whether it’s a priest, elder, the whole congregation of Israel (nation), Or
an individual. They were to bring an unblemished, spotless animal one
without defects to be sacrificed. Depending on who sinned determined if it was
to be a bull from the heard or a male or female goat. But the key word, or
phrase for this study is “one without blemish, spotless.
For us today that sacrifice is Jesus the Christ he is the
spotless lamb of God. Who died on the cross for our redemption, and was raised
so that our hope and faith is in God.
John 1:29 The next day John
saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
John3: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the
world might be saved through him.
John call Jesus the “Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of
the world.” John was the forerunner of Christ preparing the way for
Christ’s ministry. Mary Jesus’s mom had gone to see Johns mother Elizabeth when
she was pregnant with John. Mary and Elizabeth were relatives. (Luke 1:36a And behold, your relative Elizabeth) I
may be taking a little liberty and speculation here, but I think John knew
Jesus as a child and maybe as he grew up. They lived close enough for Mary to
travel to see Elizabeth. Yet when John saw Jesus approaching he declared who
Jesus was: The Lamb of God, and why he came: to take away the sins of the
world.
1 Peter 1: 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the
futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as
silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that
of a lamb without blemish or spot.
We see that when John identified Jesus he called him “the lamb of
God” and Peter tells us he is like a lame without blemish, and that Jesus paid
the ransom for our sin, he is the ultimate and last sacrifice for sin that was
needed .He came to take away sin although he did not sin,(1 John 3:5) Jesus
died for the redemption of the world that is for those who choose to receive
him. By this act of Christ death on the Cross he became our advocate to the
Father in heaven.
Let’s look at Leviticus 4:27-31
27 “If anyone of the common
people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the
Lord's commandments ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, 28 or the sin
which he has committed is made known to him,
he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his
sin which he has committed. 29 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin
offering and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering. 30 And the priest shall take some of its blood
with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and
pour out all the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. 31 And all its fat
he shall remove, as the fat is removed from the peace offerings, and the priest
shall burn it on the altar for a pleasing aroma to the Lord. And
the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.
When the common person sinned, they brought a spotless animal the
(type of animal depended on who sinned) for a sacrifice for their sin, and they
killed the animal. The Priest then took the blood and performed the rest of the
sacrificial ritual. Here is the key as far as this study is concerned” And
the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.
The priest makes the
atonement for sin, the priest was the advocate between the sinner and God.
Atonement mean: to cover over. As scripture tells us in 1 John 2:2 Christ is
the propitiation for sin, that is he turns away Gods wrath, The KJ in Romans 5: 11 And not only so, but we
also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
That is a covering over of our sins. Most translation interpret the word
for atonement in this verse as reconciliation. Our sin causes a rift between
you and God, when sins are forgiven then that rift is reconciled by Christ
atonement for us. Because of what Jesus Christ did he become’ our advocate to
God, Our High Priest.
Hebrews 2: 17 Therefore he(Jesus) had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so
that he might become a merciful and
faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for
the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted,
he is able to help those who are being
tempted.
My thoughts on this section of scripture, Jesus came in the
likeness of his brothers or likeness of mankind Romans 8:3 tells us he came in
the likeness of sinful flesh. By doing so he was and still is able to relate to
mankind when we are tempted for he was also tempted and yet did not sin.
Hebrews 4: 14 Since then we have a great
high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us then with
confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.
Again, we see Jesus as our
high priest, that can relate to us in our weakness for he was tempted as we are
in every way yet he did not sin. This not sinning is very important. The priest
of old sinned and had to perform their own sacrifice. Jesus didn’t sin he
didn’t have to provide a sacrifice for sin but he became the sacrifice for our
sin, he bore our sin although he had no sin (1 Peter 2:24)
Hebrews5: 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save
him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he
was a son, he learned obedience
through what he suffered. 9 And being
made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey
him, 10 being
designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Let’s jump to verse 9-10 Jesus is the source of eternal salvation
and is designated by God to be
the high priest, after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6: 19 We
have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters
into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where
Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a
high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus has entered the inner place behind the curtain that is he
is in Heaven as our solid anchor, gone before us. Forerunner means; one who
comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow: He is our High Priest
after the order of Melchizedek. Here is something interesting about Melchizedek
Hebrews 7: 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life,
but resembling the Son of God he
continues a priest forever.
Interesting no mother or father, no genealogy, no beginning or
end, resembles the Son of God. A priest forever. Who is this Priest? Off the
top of my head I’m going to throw this out there. He is an appearance of the
pre-incarnate Christ. I have it in my green file folder to study and write
about him at a future date.
The following is from Ligonier Ministries Titled: Our Righteous
Advocate.
When John calls Jesus “our Advocate,” he means that our Savior
stands before the Father to plead our case. Yet Jesus’ work as our Advocate
goes far above and beyond the work of an earthly advocate, for His case for us
is grounded in the work He has done to secure God’s favorable verdict
Romans 8:1-4
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the
Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin
and death. 3 For God has done what the
law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned
sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the
righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For those who are in Christ, God is no longer the Judge who
condemns us but the Father who adopts us into His family. We are guilty of sin
and unable to meet the Lord’s demands, but the perfect righteousness of Jesus,
imputed to us in our justification, sets us right with God. Matthew Henry
writes: “The clients are guilty; their innocence and legal righteousness cannot
be pleaded. It is the advocate’s own righteousness that he must plead for
the criminals.”
God no longer condemns believers, for Christ has satisfied His
Father’s just demands. This is clear in 1 John 2:2, which describes the
foundation for Jesus’ work as our Advocate. He is the “propitiation” for us,
the one who endured the wrath we deserve so that divine justice is fulfilled,
not set aside. Christ is the propitiation for “the whole world,” not because He
made atonement for every sinner, but because He redeemed not only Jews but
people from all parts of the world. The Father accepts no atonement from anyone
except the death of His only begotten Son. Thus, Jesus is the world’s Savior.
Jesus’ priestly work as our Advocate, 1 John 2:1 explains, involves our ongoing
sanctification and our once-for-all justification. When we first trust Jesus,
His righteousness is imputed to us, giving us a righteous status (Rom. 5:9;
8:30). Yet even though there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, we
continue to sin until we are glorified. We continually need God’s forgiveness
to encourage us to walk in holiness. As we repent, Jesus advocates for us to
restore our fellowship with God.
One last verse
Hebrews 7:23-25
23 The former priests were many in number,
because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but
he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.25 Consequently, he is
able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to
God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Footnotes: [a]Hebrews 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times
High priest before Jesus was only momentary for they died, Jesus
High priest hood is forever. He is alive
How does Jesus being our
advocate compare with the Holy Spirit being our advocate in John?
Before answering this question, we need to see were Jesus is
today?
Jesus before the council
Luke 22: 66 When day came, the assembly of the
elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And
they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If
you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you,
you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will
not answer. 69 But
from now on the Son of Man shall be
seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
This verse is telling us that Jesus
will be seated at the right hand of God. That is after his death, resurrection,
and ascension into heaven.
In Mark 16: 19 So
then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat
down at the right hand of God.
This scripture is telling us that
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. He said this after the
great commission versus 15-18.
Just one more verse on Jesus
location today.
Hebrews 1: 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers
by the prophets, 2 but in these last
days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir
of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He
is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature,
and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making
purification for sins, he sat
down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
OK here are 3 sections of
scripture Identifying the location of Jesus, and that is being seated at the
right hand of God. What’s he doing? He is being our advocate to God in Heaven
see 1John 2:1
The Greek word for advocate in
1John2:1 is paraklētos this
verse is speaking of Jesus Christ the righteous being our advocate with the
father when we sin. This is referring to believers Those who have faith in
Christ. In the next few verses I’ll be looking at the Holy spirit as our
helper. The Greek word for Helper is paraklētos it’s the same word It
can also be translated Counselor and In the King James it’s also translated
Comforter.
Prior to Jesus return to Heaven he told his disciples that he would ask
the Father to send another Helper. Who is this Helper? It’s the Holy Spirit Who Dwells In every Bible Christian
English Standard Version (ESV)
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[a] to be with you forever,
If you have a red-letter
bible you will see that these are the words of Christ Jesus, he is speaking to
his disciples. I find it kind of interesting that Jesus said” I will ask the
father “was this like one of those situations where you may ask out of curtesy,
but in your heart, you know it will happen because its only logical that it
happens. As I stated above this helper is the Holy Spirit
John 14: 25 “These
things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But
the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance
all that I have said to you.
Just a couple of things
here in verse 25. Jesus is again telling the disciples that he will be leaving
them I’m not sure they truly understood what was going to happen in the near
future looking at verses 1-11 nor who Jesus was. Thomas questions as to where
it was Jesus was going verse 5 and Philip was asking for Jesus to show them the
Father verse 8. Jesus responds to Thomas in verse 6-7 “6 Jesus
said to him, “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. 7 If you had
known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you
do know him and have seen him.” Did this answer Thomas’s question
was Jesus interrupted by Philip who apparently felt his question was more
important that Thomas’s. Philip didn’t understand that uniqueness of Jesus and
the father. Verse 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me,
Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say,
‘Show us the Father’? Jesus had just got done telling them “If you had known me, you would have known
my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Yet Philip
asked Jesus to show them the father.
Next thing is Jesus tells
them who the Helper is, It’s the Holy spirit that the father will send in my
name. His purpose is to teach you and bring to remembrance everything Jesus had
taught them.
Last thing We have Jesus talking,
the father mentioned and the Holy spirit all three parts of the triune God
John14: 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I
am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have
rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is
greater than I.
As I was looking at this
verse I had an observation about this verse, but first all the different
commentaries that I looked at focused on “I’m going away and If you loved me
you would rejoice” The observation I had is on this” and I will come to you” When Jesus says he is going away and
then coming to you is this a hint of the second coming of Christ. Verse 3” 3 And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am
you may be also.” Jesus make this statement after saying he was
going to his father’s house to prepare a place for us. I think it’s a hint to
the second coming but I’ll need to do more study on this. I’ll put it in the
green file for future study. I think I may have gotten off track some.
John 15:26 English Standard Version (ESV)
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to
you from
the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father,
he will bear witness about me.
What is seen in this verse? First the Greek word for helper “paraklētos”
is the same Greek word for advocate used in 1John 2:1 when speaking of Christ
as our advocate. In this case, I am speaking of the Holy Spirit. Here is the
definition as it relates to the Holy Spirit:
of the Holy Spirit destined to
take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father),
to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine
strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of
the divine kingdom. Although this definition mentions the apostles, this
also applies to Christians today. Just a quick look at other versions of this
scripture and the word used for helper
·
KJV Comforter
·
NIV Advocate
·
ESV Helper
·
HCSB Counselor
·
NASB Helper
·
RSV Counselor
It’s the same Greek word “paraklētos”
I don’t know how different translations determine what word to use. It has
something to do with what original trans scripts are used, if it’s a though for
thought translation or a word for word translation. Here is John 15:26 out of
the Complete Jewish Bible. (CBJ)
26 "When
the Counselor comes, whom I will send you from the Father -- the Spirit of Truth, who keeps going out from the Father -- he will testify on my behalf.
Here is an interesting part
of this verse in the CJB “who keeps going out from the Father” all
the other translations use’s “proceeds from the father. The CBJ give’s the idea
that there is a continual connection with the father. What does the word
proceed mean?
Proceed: Greek= ekporeuomai= verb
Means
·
to go
forth, go out, depart
·
to come
forth, to issue, to proceed / of feelings, affections, deeds, sayings
·
to
project, from the mouth of one
·
to
spread abroad, of a rumour
These are the definitions of “proceed” the third bullet point “to flow
forth / of a river”
Fits best I think with the CJB translation it gives the idea of
continuity, a continual flow of the Holy Spirit, an ongoing communication of
the Holy Spirit with the father on our behalf here on this temporary home. The
Holy Spirit doesn’t just come from the father, he’s in continual contact,
speaking to the father on our behalf he is advocating for us.
John 16:7English Standard Version (ESV)
7 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 go, I will send him to you.
Not going to say too much about this verse, I’ve already have
gone over the “helper” and from where the helper comes from. I do want to look
at one word “Advantage” What this mean our advantage?
Advantage =Greek= sympherō= verb =
to help, be profitable, be expedient
Too start with its an action word, the Holy Spirit isn’t just
sitting by waiting for us to fail he is taking action continually dwelling with
us, making his home with us, His residence is in us. The Holy Spirit take an
active role in our development as a Christian. In John 14:26 tells us the Holy
Spirit teaches, and brings to remembrance what we have heard as it pertains to
Christ “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, he will teach you all things and
bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
In 2 Timothy1:13-14 we are instructed to follow the sound words
that we have been taught in faith and love that is in Jesus Christ we are to guard
that good deposit that we have. How do we guards it? By the Holy Spirit who
dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:
13 Follow the
pattern of the sound[d] words that you have heard from
me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By
the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit
entrusted to you. [d]
Or healthy
We don’t walk alone, we don’t have to guard, defend, share, study
the Gospel, the Good News alone, we do it BY the Holy Spirit. Almost forgot
this we also don’t have to fight temptation alone. We fight it BY
the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will
put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful
to obey my rules.
Romans 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh
What do all these verses have in common? The Holy Spirit is
involved, we are to walk BY the Spirit. Not as if we are
passing him, but by his power, and ability to keep us from failing. Now just
want to add a note here. WE have the responsibility to
listen, respond, and act on the directions of the Holy Spirit. We need to take
God seriously, we need to take Jesus seriously, we need to study God’s word, we
need to pray, we need to humble ourselves, and we need to not minimize the role
or guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Final Thoughts
Christ came and died on the cross bearing the burden of sin for
the whole world providing redemption for the whole world for those who choose to
believe. He rose and is alive and went home to the father where he sits at the
right hand of God as our advocate in heaven. When he left, another was sent to
fill the void of Christ being gone. That is the Holy Spirit he is the other
helper, the advocate here on earth. Christ dwelt among the people when he was
here on earth and the Holy Spirit dwells in people here on earth that is those
who chose to believe. The one advocate Christ sent the other advocate the Holy
Spirit who proceeds from the Father.
