Why would you ever need to experience the greatest Comforter if you were always comfortable?

Why would you ever need to experience the greatest comforter if you were always comfortable?

John 14:16

“ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Comforter Comforts

When Jesus was about to go away shortly to the cross, the disciples were exceedingly sad (John 14:6), so Jesus promised to send them just what they needed: the Comforter, or, as some translations call Him, the Helper (John 16:7). This is just another name for the Holy Spirit. Why would Jesus say it was to their advantage for Him to go away (John 16:7)? Because on Earth, Jesus could be in only one place at a time since He was still cloaked in His humanity, although still very God (John 1:14). But the Spirit of God would be able to dwell in a multitude of believers, all at the same time (John 16:13). Their sorrow would someday be turned into the greatest joy they have ever known (John 16:20-22).

Who Is the Comforter?

The Greek word used for “Helper” or “Comforter” is “paraklētos” and is a compound Greek word meaning two things: “alongside” (para) and “called” or “summoned” (klētos). That is exactly Who the Comforter is and what the Comforter does. He is called to come alongside and help the believer, and He will bring to remembrance what Jesus had taught them and us (John 14:26). He will be a witness to them and to us for Christ (John 15:26). He was to remain with them, as He will with us, forever (John 14:16). He will dwell in us as He does today (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit of God is also called the Spirit of Truth, and He will guide us into all truth. Whatever the Father tells Him, He will tell us (John 16:13). The Comforter or Helper will always glorify Christ (John 16:14), taking what Christ had told them and declaring it unto them once more, just as He does for us today (John 16:15). Whatever your translation calls Him, He is fully God–whether He is called the Comforter, the Helper, or the Spirit of Truth–because He is all of these.

The Comfortable Are Afflicted

I believe that the Word of God does one of two things: It comforts the afflicted, or it afflicts the comfortable. If you’re comfortable in your own strength, I don’t believe that will last very long. If you feel like you’re okay right now, just wait until He convicts you of your sins, which He also does to the world (John 16:8-11). Have you ever read a passage in the Bible when suddenly the light of understanding came on? That is the Spirit helping you to understand the Word and the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11). The Comforter even helps us know how to pray when we have no idea what to pray for or how to put it into words (Rom. 8:26). If you are comfortable in your own skin, then your mind will be set on earthly things, but if you live by the Spirit, then you can know what the Spirit teaches you (Rom. 8:5). I want that, don’t you?

A Closing Prayer

Father God, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit for my comfort, help, and understanding, convicting me of sin, bringing to remembrance the things I need to know at the time, and helping me understand the Word of God. Thanks be to You for all these things and Your Spirit, and in Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

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