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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17, NIV)

I’ve forgotten my wallet. I’ve forgotten my cellphone. I’ve forgotten my attache case; but I’ve never once forgotten my heart, my lungs, or even my “who knows what it does” appendix. All of these latter-named items are securely within us.

So it is with the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that He is here to help us forever; that He lives with us; and that He lives within us.

How cool is that? We have an eternal helper. He lives with us. He lives within us; as surely and securely as our physical organs.

The Holy Spirit is not merely a gift from God; He is the gift of God. We can never lose this gift, but we can choose not to allow Him to help us; but why would we do that? – Luther

Tagged gift of God, the book of John, the Holy Spirit

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“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (John 12:42, NIV)

It is natural to desire the praise and affirmation of other people.

The people spoken of in today’s scripture passage loved Jesus, but they had a greater love for acceptance into the community (which was represented by the synagogue); and for the praise of those within that community.

As disciples of Jesus, our ambition is to seek the praise only of God. There are times when others will also praise the things we do that please God; and there are times when being a friend of God will make you an enemy of those you see every day. Particularly at such times, keep your eyes on God; grip His hand even tighter; and do your best to match His stride.

The preferences and the allegiances of other people is a crap-shoot. The love, grace, and faithfulness of God is a sure bet, but it requires of us an uncompromising commitment to Him. – Luther

Tagged commitment, divine praise, human praise, the book of John

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“‘Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.'” (John 12:26, NIV)

To serve Jesus is to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to be with Jesus.

It is not possible to truly serve Jesus without also following Him. If our service consists only of isolated acts — even sacrificial isolated acts — without a commitment to also go where He goes; and to do as He directs; that service is deficient.

To be a true servant of Jesus is to voluntarily subordinate our will to the will of the One being served. This type of service cannot be rendered at a distance. It is intimate. It is persistent. – Luther

Tagged discipleship, obedience, servitude, the book of John

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