“When the Comforter is Come”

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”  (John 16:7)

In previous posts we have studied the verses of Scripture pertaining to baptisms and especially the Baptism with the Holy Ghost.

We have seen that according to the Bible, it is God’s desire that every born again believer be endued with the power from on high that comes from being Baptized with the Holy Spirit.

However, even though the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a one-time experience, similar to being born again, the Bible says that we are to be continuously “filled with the Holy Ghost” and walk in the Spirit daily.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Eph. 5:18-19)

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Eph. 5:20-21)

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)

In this day and time, how can we live filled with the Holy Ghost and walking in the Spirit?

The answer is faith, the faith of the Son of God that comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

As we have seen in previous posts, to be Baptized with the Holy Ghost is to be totally immersed in the Spirit of God.

The Greek word that is translated “filled” in Ephesians 5:18 literally means to “cram” or to be “filled to the overflowing”.

This can best be understood by imagining a glass so filled with water that the water actually rises up above the rim of the glass in a rounded outward or “convex” shape.

Any movement whatsoever would cause the water to spill over the rim and splash upon any surrounding objects getting them wet.

This is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

“Walking in the Spirit” is to take this overflowing condition with you on a daily basis and let it “spill” out upon the others in your life.

The Bible calls the Holy Spirit that indwells us the “Comforter”.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” (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.” (John 14:26)

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (John 15:26)

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7)

The word “Comforter” comes from the Greek word “parakletos” meaning “intercessor, consoler” or “advocate”, but it can also mean “a “helper called to one’s side”.

The “helper called to one’s side” refers to someone who would keep pace and run alongside the participant in a race until they were refreshed with the cooling water that their paraclete had brought.

He is our “intercessor” when we do not know how to pray,

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)

He is our “consoler” when He brings to our remembrance the Word of God and “opens to us” the Scriptures.

“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.” (John 14:26)

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

He is our “advocate” when we do not know what to say but He gives us the anointing and speaks through us with authority.

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 13:11)

He is the “Helper called to our side” when He refreshes us, anoints us, and strengthens us to continue to run the race that is set before us.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isa. 10:27)

“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isa. 28:11-12)

The Holy Spirit is our strength, He is our comfort, He is our confidence, He is our Wisdom, He is our best Friend, He is the lover and keeper of our soul, He is the earnest (the proof) of our inheritance, and He is the One who will never leave us nor forsake us.

He is also the One who will quicken, make alive, and change our mortal body so that we can arise and meet the Lord in the air.

And He will fill us to the overflowing and walk in us every day if we will only ask Him to.

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 11:9)

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  (Luke 11:13)

Tomorrow– Living the Abundant Life

“How to Walk in the Born Again Experience” by Raymond Candy Available for $2.99 at bn.com for the Nook, amazon.com for the Kindle, the iBookstore for the iPad, and Lulu.com for the iPad, the PC, and all other tablets and e-reading devices