I know what I am about to ask you would not be possible, but just suppose it was! How would you like to have the Lord Jesus Christ come and live at your home for a while, and to go about with you in all you do? For example, just think how He would have felt if you had had Jesus with you yesterday! Your behaviour, your language, your thoughts - would you have wanted them to be different?
Those who truly trust Jesus Christ as their Leader and Saviour should certainly not be annoyed at the thought of having Jesus alongside them. Here’s why. Although Jesus is not on earth today to be a physical companion alongside the true Christian, He has promised something even better!
“It is for your good that I am going away,” He told His followers. “I will send (the Spirit of Truth) to you.” (verses 7, 13.)
So, you see, true Christians are aware of something even more wonderful than having God's Son beside them occasionally; they have God's Spirit within them all the time!
But maybe you would not have wanted Jesus to be your companion yesterday, or any other day! Many people want to get on with living their own lives the way they want to. They do not want to be thinking of having to please Jesus all the time! This is surely a sign that that person is NOT a true Christian! “Whoever claims to live in (Christ) must walk as Jesus did” God says.
Jesus told of other ways that the Holy Spirit would take His place and continue what He had been doing.
“When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me.” (verses 8-9.) While Jesus was on earth He urged people to believe that He was their only hope - their only WAY to God. Now the Holy Spirit continues to attract people to put their faith in Jesus. He shows up how sinful it is to turn to anyone other than Jesus to try to get forgiveness of your sins. To refuse to believe in Jesus is a great insult to God, and the Holy Spirit warns of God’s awful “judgment” against those who reject Jesus. (verse 11.)
While Jesus was alongside His followers He had helped them do what was right. But now it is the Holy Spirit who works WITHIN Christ's followers to enable them to live right lives pleasing to God. (verse 10.)
I hope you are trusting in Jesus as your Saviour. If you are, then you have the presence of the Holy Spirit within you, and you can request His power and wisdom to enable you to live for Jesus day by day. It is just like having Jesus with you all the time!
Read about the Holy Spirit in John chapter 16, verses 7-11.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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