He promised, that in spite of what would happen to Him, He would not leave His own without the comfort of His presence. That He would come in the person of another Comforter, one who would come in the same power and presence with which He came. A Helper, an Advocate who would be like Jesus, a representative of all that God is. He would be of the same nature, the same spirit, the same means and have the identical goal and purpose as the Father and the Son. Not the same one who was to go away but one who would represent all that was to be found in the Lord Jesus.John 14:16.
The Comforter who was to come, would not come representing Himself. Thank the Lord He has come and now dwells in the spirit nature of the redeemed. His purpose in coming into the world was to take the things of Christ and reveal or show them unto all who would listen. He would not speak or present Himself as one to be worshipped. He is the Spirit of truth and will speak nothing but the truth. He takes those things which pertain to Christ and makes them plain and understandable. John 16:13.
It is through the Holy Spirit that the promise of the Lord Jesus is accomplished for Jesus said that He would not leave us desolate or as orphans. The one who was to come, termed to be another, (John 14:16) not the same person but in the Greek He was to be an ìallosî a different person but of the identical sort and kind. So intricacy bound together is the Godhead that it is not always easy to distinguish them one from the other. Only when we understand such perfect and absolute unity can we come to a reasonable comprehension of the Godhead. While each has their own place, yet, in operation they are always seen in operation as a unit. Thus, when Jesus said; ìI will come to you.î He meant just that. He was to come in the person of the Holy Spirit for it is the Holy Spirit who enlightens us and helps us demonstrate in our life, the life of Christ. John 16:18 What a blessedness to know the comforting presence of the Spirit of the Lord in our spirit being. His work is complete, from the new birth, to our being raised in the glory of the resurrected Christ when HE returns.
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Hereby know we that we dwell in Him. 1 John 4:13 What a strong and positive statement. A knowledge that can only come to those who have been born of the Spirit and live a Spirit filled life. Real life, eternal life is found only in the One who was able to say I am, the way, the truth and the LIFE. John 14:6 Furthermore, John said ìHe is in us. If we are truly in Him we need to learn to live accordingly. With His presence the Word of the Lord is made to be a living Word. A Word of action and fulfilment. The extent of that manifestation of His mighty power is limitless. For, ìHe is able to do exceeding abundantly above. There is no capstone, no ultimate to be placed on a statement such as that. His ability cannot be boxed in. There is absolutely nothing which He cannot accomplish. According to your faith, be it unto you.
Above all that we can ask or think. Our finite minds are very active in thinking of a great abundance of (does), requests and actions which we desire of Him. Most generally, when we are under pressure we are quick to present our requests before Him. However, the response to our petitions depends on the power that works in us. Eph. 3:20 There is a Divine criteria which will release the power of the Lord to perform signs, wonders and miracles and that is His power residing within the petitioner.
The open, reveled secret of the manifestation of the power of the Lord is recorded plainly in His Word. We, too often read His Word like we do any other book, it cannot be done. His Word is life and requires that we read it with the Spirit of life opening its beauties and wonders unto us. Knowing the Word and living its commandments will bring an assurance that we are dwelling in Him and more importantly, that He dwells within us. An assurance, a knowledge which is verified by the living presence of the Spirit of the Lord filling the human nature and being. 1 John 3:4.
The most basic element of the execution of the Word is love. In order to love the Lord we must first love our neighbor, but wait, we must also love our enemies, do them good, bless them and pray for them, even those who persecute you. Mt. 5:44 That is real love. That is the love of Christ being manifest in His people. Then too, we must learn to love our fellow Christian, even when we feel that they are different in manner of life and perhaps even in doctrine. When this measure of love has been achieved we find that the love of the Lord is perfected in us. Now that is something to really be desired. 1 John 4:12 When we have learned to love as He loves we can be assured of His Spirit dwelling within.