Our Advocate

What hope do we have of ever being loved by God? Is God really on our side or are we just cosmic orphans? Let’s look at how the Holy Spirit confirms God’s love in John 14:15-21.

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Assuming that the word “commandments” always means the Ten Commandments is a wrong inference. Obedience to JESUS’ commands proves that we love HIM. He said, “IF you love [who?]” Jesus said, “If you love ME, keep MY commandments.” In this context Jesus commanded, to “believe also in Me” (verse 1).

The natural reading is not the Ten Commandments but HIS commandments. Jesus reminded us of OTHER commandments, outside the ten, like love God and neighbor. Jesus’ commands do not dismiss ANY Old Testament commandments. They DO dismiss a legalistic, letter-of-the-law approach, by fulfilling the spirit of the entire law through faith.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever

Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father or the Father and the Son? This verse seems to say that the Father sends the Spirit on behalf of the Son. Yet on another occasion we read, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

The Greek word variously translated as Advocate, Helper, Comforter is paraklétos, a legal term for a trial lawyer who advocates for us. It also has a broader meaning of someone called to our side to help us. This means that the Holy Spirit is on OUR side, defending us.

John 14:17 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 Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of Truth.” It should be no surprise that our best arguments often fail, because “the world cannot receive” the Spirit of Truth! Let’s simply trust the Holy Spirit to do His job. “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

John 14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The word is orphans, not “comfortless.” The context is “Little children...” (John 13:33), so here “come” refers to Jesus’ presence through the Holy Spirit. We are not orphans. He is with us. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

John 14:19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

Jesus spoke of eternal life, “Because I live, you will live also.” This refers to the higher Christian life in Christ independent of death. Because He lives, we are partakers of life now and forever. This indicates that our eternal life is dependent directly on Jesus giving it to us.

John 14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

“In that day” when the Spirit of Truth dwells in you, i.e. Pentecost, His disciples “will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” This mystical personal relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit is what the resurrection life is all about.

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.

Jesus' words “keep My commandments” includes the mutual indwelling of Father, Son and Holy Spirit with us through faith. Jesus promises that He will love us and manifest Himself to us. Is this revelation a “coming” different from His Second Coming? Is it the manifestation of Christ in the Spirit?

We don’t need to be a part of an exclusive church to be loved by God. The Holy Spirit has come to confirm God’s love for us. Where is the Church? It is WHEREVER Jesus dwells through the Holy Spirit, WHEREVER His love lives in people.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings:

Psalm 66:8-20 Though life contains suffering, what has God promised us?

Acts 17:22-31 How do we talk about the gospel in a skeptical world?

1 Peter 3:13-22 What defense of your hope would you give?

John 14:15-21 in Rhyme

If you love Me, keep My commands

I’ll pray that from the Father’s hands

He’ll give you another Helper

To abide with you forever

Spirit of truth, the world can’t take

To His presence it’s not awake

But you know Him, He dwells with you

What men can’t see will be in you