Do You Know This Person?

Do You Know This Person? But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:6-7)

Jesus' public ministry was controversial.  But after Him there came another who was and still is controversial. He is one of the most controversial in the Christian experience. Many perceptions about Him are varied.  Some people are just plain afraid of Him because of He is called a ghost and that spooks them. He first came on believers with strong winds filling the house. He touched people who were supernaturally enabled to do that which they were ordinarily incapable. It caused quite a noise as they united the people with languages that caused amazement. He testifies to the believer about Jesus (John 15:26).  While the Father draws the unbeliever He is at work convicting men and women of their sins (John 16:8).  He teaches us and reminds of what Jesus says (John 14:26). The world rejects Him because they don’t see him or know Him (John 14:17). Ananias and Sapphira lied to Him when they kept money from the property they sold while saying they gave all the money to the church (Act 5:3).  He can be grieved by disobedience in the life of a Christian (Ephesians 4:30). He guides us to truth (John 16:13).  He tells us what He hears and he tells us what is yet to come (John 16:13). He brings glory to Christ by revealing truth to us (John 16:13-15). He strengthens and encourages the church (Acts 9:31). He comforts us (John 14:16, KJV). As we pray He helps us in our weakness. He intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express when we pray (Romans 8:26). He searches the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:11). He bears witness to us that we are children of God (Romans 8:16 KJV). He can forbid us from doing something (Acts 16:6-7). He can be resisted (Acts 7:51). He can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32). He can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV).  He searches our hearts (Romans 8:27).He gives spiritual gifts as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:11).  He is the person, the Holy Spirit. Jesus said it was for our good that He left so that believers would receive the Holy Spirit. After Jesus left He sent the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). He lives with us and is in us (John14:17).We shouldn’t take lightly His presence that is the deposit guaranteeing our spiritual inheritance (2 Corinthians 5:5). He is casually referred to as “something told me…”not only does He do all these things and more, He is a Person—the Holy Spirit.  Veronica Garrett © 2013