Image from agnusday.org
Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/44GqfS6
View here: https://bit.ly/4blcg6U
26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 NIV Bible)
This passage is the explaining text in why the powers-that-be chose to divide the great volume of the one book that was Luke-Acts. They felt that if they kept the order with Luke going straight to Acts they might not fully understand the coming of the Holy Spirit, so the cut was made, with this passage serving as the introduction, by Jesus, of the third person fo the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Jesus introduces Him as our Advocate; like an attorney who testifies about Jesus, and Who helps us testify about the Lord as well. Jesus also reveals that because He must go away the Advocate will come in His place. His role will be to prove to the world that it is in the wrong because of sin and righteousness and judgement; and this is what that means: He must speak about sin because people do not believe in God; about righteousness, because Jesus is going to the Father and would no longer be visible among people; and judgment, because the prince of this world (Satan) now stands condemned.
The Holy Spirit will also be the Spirit of Truth, because He will guide us into truth, speaking that which God has asked Him to speak, and He will speak of coming things. It will be all about glorifying God; for the Spirit shares what He hears.
The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or a power but a divine person, sent by God to dwell within believers. He is our Helper, Comforter, and Guide. Just as Jesus walked with His disciples during His earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit now walks with us, leading us into deeper understanding of God’s truth and empowering us to testify about Christ.
As followers of Christ, we are called to bear witness to His truth and share the love of God with others. The Holy Spirit equips us for this task, guiding our words and actions, and enabling us to live lives that reflect the character of Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who dwells within us. Help us to be sensitive to His leading and guidance in our lives. May He empower us to testify boldly about Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to live lives that honor and glorify You. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit each day, that we may walk in obedience to Your will and be effective witnesses for Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blesse day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on how you have experienced the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Are there areas where you sense His leading to speak out or take action for the sake of the gospel? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and give you boldness to testify about Jesus in your sphere of influence. Trust in His strength and guidance as you seek to live a life that honors God and points others to Him.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
