Kinlaw: God's Spirit dwells within us as a counselor
Dr. Brian Kinlaw
Southview Baptist Church
Gathered in the Upper Room with his disciples the night before he would be crucified, Jesus told them that he would soon be leaving them. He also told them that after he had gone, they would do even greater things in the world than he had done and that he desired that they make a lasting impact for the glory of God. Upon hearing this news, the disciples struggled with how these two truths could be possible. They realized their own imperfections and struggles. They knew that Jesus had pulled them out of difficult circumstances more than once, and that he often had to clarify things because they were clueless. If he was going to leave them, how could they possibly impact the world in some great way?
The answer comes in the form of a "parting gift" from Jesus. In John 14, Jesus made this promise: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." That promised counselor is none other than the third person of the trinity, God the Spirit.
The term "counselor" refers to one who comes alongside of another to help. It refers to one who is a helper, comforter, exhorter, intercessor, encourager and advocate. The promise of Jesus is that he will not leave his followers to try to impact the world or face this world's challenges in their own strength and might. Instead, he has sent one who comes alongside us to help us. He has sent his Holy Spirit to instruct and empower God's people to live for God's glory.
Perhaps the most stunning part of what Jesus says is that this "counselor" will not simply come alongside us, but will actually dwell in us. Those who yield their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We actually have God living and working in us.
There are many days and situations when I feel completely powerless. There are many circumstances in which it seems the odds are stacked against me and it would appear that defeat is imminent. I am certain this is true for all believers.
The good news, though, is that God has not left us powerless. He has not called on us to strive to handle life in our own strength and wisdom. God the Spirit has graciously come to dwell in believers to strengthen us to carry out God's work. If God is for me, with me, and in me, who or what can stand against me? If God is in me, what obstacle is too great or situation too difficult? If God is in me, what in my life is so broken it cannot be fixed or so challenging that an answer cannot be found?
Those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ and his work on the cross and glorious resurrection for our salvation can rest today in the promise that God is not only with us, he is in us. If he is in us, there is nothing we will face today that God in us cannot handle. We can make a difference in our world for God's glory because Jesus kept his promise and sent his Spirit to dwell in us. That is good news!
Dr. Brian Kinlaw is the senior pastor of Southview Baptist Church of Hope Mills and can be reached at bkinlaw@nc.rr.com.