Living the Christian life in your own strength is an impossible task. Have you ever felt defeated, powerless, or struggling to overcome the same temptations? You and I need the Holy Spirit’s help.
Jesus said in John 14:16-17 (NKJV), “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
The word “Counselor” or “Helper” is the Greek word, parakletos. It literally translates, “one who is called alongside.” That’s the Holy Spirit! He is given by God to come alongside us to help us in our daily walk. When we sin, He convicts us. When we stumble, He lifts us. When we are afraid, He calms us. When we struggle, He empowers us. When we doubt, He reassures us…and so much more!
Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit even helps us to pray: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26, NKJV).
We need the Holy Spirit.
Notice Jesus’ words at the end of John 14:17—“… for he lives with you” (that’s the parakletos part, how the Spirit comes alongside us to comfort, counsel, and help us), “and will be in you” (that’s the indwelling, empowering part of the Spirit who works from within once we have trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior).
Those two prepositions (“with” and “in”) describe two important aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. But there’s a third preposition—“upon”—found in Acts 1:8 (NKJV) where Jesus said: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The word, “upon” (Greek: epi), suggests an overflowing, overwhelming, empowering work of the Holy Spirit, often referred to as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is the extra measure of God’s Spirit that is in addition to the abiding and indwelling work of the Spirit. This empowering work of the Holy Spirit allows us to live out our Christian faith with boldness, power, and victory over sin.
In the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, there was a sprinter named Derek Redmond from Great Britain. The event was the 400-meter semi-finals. Derek started out well, but in the back straight about 250 meters from the finish, his hamstring tore. He hobbled to a halt and then fell to the ground in pain. A medical team made their way over to him, but Derek decided he wanted to finish the race without their help. He began to hobble along the track. His father, Jim Redmond, was in the stands, and when he saw his son hobbling on the track in pain, he barged past security and made his way onto the track to help his son. They completed the race together, arm-in-arm, with Derek leaning on his father’s shoulder for support. As they crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 spectators rose to give Derek a standing ovation.
This is a picture of the Holy Spirit’s help in our lives. God knows we cannot finish this race in our own strength. We are weak and hobbling along in our flesh trying to please God. So, God has given us His Spirit to come alongside us, dwell in us, and overwhelm us with His power, strength, gifts, and fruit, so that we might finish the race well.
Jesus said in Luke 11:13 (NKJV), “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
So, why not ask God today to fill you to overflowing with the power and grace of His Holy Spirit? He is faithful to all His promises.
***
The Explosive Power of Life in the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit’s Power, by Gary Hamrick, explains how the Holy Spirit’s might, fruit, gifts, and transformative power are available today in the same way they were for the early church. This engaging resource is for anyone desiring to dig deeper into Scripture and experience the passion, faith, and joy of a life lived in the Spirit.
Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.
Leave a Reply