WHO’S AT WORK

John 16:5-15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’


In youth group last night, we discussed Jeremiah 17:9 where the prophet speaks of the wickedness of the human heart. I asked the group if they felt like their hearts were wicked and if not, why not? Their answers generally spoke to what God was doing in their lives and what Jesus had done for them on the Cross. Good answers! What I found interesting that their was no reference to the Holy Spirit.

It seems we are comfortable with God and Jesus but the Holy Ghost, we are not so sure about. The fact is, it is the Advocate … the Encourage … the Comforter … the Counselor … it is the Holy Spirit who is at work in the world today. When you feel convicted because of sin in you life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When you are drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus or God’s righteousness is blooming in your life, it is the Holy Spirit working. When judgment for sin is meted out, it is the Holy Spirit working.

Call Him what you want, it is the Paraclete (Greek), the Holy Spirit who’s at work.