"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:16-18
The Holy Spirit was here on earth before Pentecost, but on the Day of Pentecost He came to indwell believers. That was the thing which was new. "Holy" and "Spirit" describe Him, but Comforter is His name, if He has a name. It is a very fitting name, as com means "along side of" and fortis means "strong." He is the strong One who abides with us forever.
He does not say that the world would not receive the Spirit of truth. He says the world cannot receive Him. The Spirit of God can take the Word of God and open it to the believer, but the unsaved person must first believe in Jesus Christ as his Savior. People of the world cannot see Him because He is seen and worshiped in spirit and truth. He is seen with the spiritual eye. It is only by the Spirit of God that our eyes and ears can be opened to understand the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the teacher to lead and guide us in truth. Without Him, the Bible becomes a book of history, a book of facts. The Holy Spirit teaches the truths of the Bible. The Holy Spirit has been in the world, but Jesus says that now He "shall be in you."
He will not leave us comfortless. The Greek word for comfortless is "orphanos" which means "orphans." Jesus says that He will not leave us orphans but will come to us in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Also, the Greek word parakletos literally means "one called alongside to help," hence the idea of a comfort. The Holy Spirit is called another comforter because this is also one of Christ's titles. The Father is also known as the God of all comfort in the Holy Spirit. We can find comfort today in the Holy Spirit when trials come our way.
May God bless you with a wonderful, comforting day in Him!
Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy |
