The obvious theme of John’s 16th Gospel chapter is the soon coming of the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer. So much is learned about the Holy Spirit in these few verses. We learn that the Holy Spirit is a “he” and not an “it.” We learn that he has roles and a meaningful purpose to exist in the heart of the believer. In other words, he is more than a simple companion or an adequate “filler” of the void that Jesus’ absence would create. The Holy Spirit is meant for so much in our life that seemingly is not tapped into today.
As we read the words of Christ in this 16th chapter, we can’t help but believe that Jesus saw a great significance in the Holy Spirit’s coming. Much emphasis is made of his coming into and guiding of our life. Verse 7 says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The word “expedient” is an interesting one, isn’t it? The word here gives thought to “better for your sakes”. In other words, it’s not simply “important” or “necessary” that the Holy Spirit come, but it is both important and necessary that he come because it is “better for your sakes” that he come into your life. It’s as if Jesus is telling them that the things that will take place in their life after His ascension into Heaven are so great that they will require the Holy Spirit’s presence to overcome.
But this isn’t what we are seeing in our lives today. Yes, the things that we are facing today do in fact require the Holy Spirit’s presence, but it doesn’t seem that we are relying on his presence today. In fact, I’m finding great difficulty seeing any difference at all in the life of the Christian and the non-Christian when facing the battles of our day. Think about it- would the Holy Spirit, if utilized by today’s Christian, lead us into senseless divorce, bankruptcy and hatred for one another? I think not!
I recently sat for lunch with a man who spilled his life’s guts out to me as he justified his many bad decisions based on the lack of options that were given to him. I asked him, “How often do you pray to God and research the scriptures before making these decisions?” He replied, “never”, with his head bowed low. This man is a Christian leader in our community. I’m afraid we have underutilized the gift of the Holy Spirit in our life.
Let me close with a final Scripture reading from Romans 8:8-11, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Do more today than tap into the Holy Spirit… let him tap into you. Let him guide your ever move and thought of mind. Let him take up his abode in your life… and may it be evident that something is different in your life.
Pastor Mike Carmody
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