Friend, I have shared good news with you in my previous letters. Indulge me while I teach you a little more. As I’ve told you, you cannot fix yourself. Consequently, you might be afraid that you will experience failure at Christian living because it seems such an unlikely way to live, even if you believe in everything you have learned thus far. Well, I have more good news. Jesus told the apostles he was sending an “advocate” to be their helper. That advocate, the Holy Spirit, would help them carry out their assignment. The Holy Spirit is, thanks be to God, with you now and desires to help you as well.
The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Triune God, are equal and work in harmony with one another. The three persons of the Trinity are intimately related, mutually indwelling one another and sharing the divine essence. The Father is the creator; he chooses, plans, and wills. The Son is the fulfiller; he obeys the Father and does His will. The Spirit dwells in us, pointing us to the Father and the Son. The uniqueness of the Holy Spirit is his loving and influential living presence within you on a day-to-day basis. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would live within each of us who believe. Your indwelling advocate empowers you to live victoriously for the cause of Christ and the glory of God. You need the Holy Spirit as a facilitator to become who God created you to be, and through his power, you have divine assistance in all situations. Tempted by sin? Call on the Holy Spirit. Burdened with fear? Call on the Holy Spirit. Struggling to demonstrate the attributes of Christian living? Call on the Holy Spirit!
Praise the Lord, for the Holy Spirit lives within you, changing your heart, giving you increasing faith, and transforming your life. In the Old Testament, God was so glorious that no one could approach him. Today, because of grace and the great blessing of atonement and redemption, God the Father and God the Son dwell in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Friend, if you were to heartfully commit yourself to following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will assure your success. Your advocate will help you tune into the voice of God and, in faith, follow through with whatever you believe he is calling you to. The Holy Spirit will help you in practical ways, giving you insight into what you read in the Bible and helping you recall what you have learned through the scriptures. He brings to your mind understanding and truth. He empowers you with wisdom and compassion and the ability to respond as Jesus would to the circumstances of your life.
The fact that God is Triune – three persons in eternal relationship – should remind you that relationships are what life is meant to be about. Life is not about power, possessions, or success. It’s about thriving in loving relationships, especially with the Lord. May it be so for you and yours, forever and ever. Amen
