John 14:15-17
15 “If you love me, obey[d] my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[e] who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.
In Max Lucado's book, "Fearless" he gives an empowering explanation of this advocate that Jesus promises. He describes the word preceding "advocate" in this portion of scripture, and this word is "another." Of course we understand this word as being a replacement, but Lucado helps us to understand that another in its Greek origin actually means "another like the first."
We don't always understand the Holy Spirit and all of its functions, but we can be encouraged by this simple thought today; Jesus didn't promise merely a substitute when he went back to the father, instead he promised an advocate that was the mirror image of himself.
We don't have the honor of walking with Jesus in the flesh, but as believers we literally have the same power of God living inside of us. In the middle of the storm, the Holy Spirit says, "Peace, be still." When our faith is flailing, the Holy Spirit encourages and empowers us to stay strong.
Ephesians 1:19-20
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
We have an advocate with the Father, and he was not sent as a replacement, but as God, in us. Whatever you face today remember the "incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him."
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