Friday, May 7, 2010

Prayer and God the Spirit (part 3)





“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)
The Holy Spirit is our divine Comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).  He is the one who comes along side us in order to aid or support us.  M.R. Vincent (in his Word-studies in the New Testament) suggests that the word Comforter means more than a consoler and that the Latin cum (with) forte (strength)  is the clearer sense, hence the Holy Spirit is He who comes along to strengthen us.  We cannot function properly in the ministry if we do not have the special aid of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot pray properly unto the Father without the Holy Spirit for He is the “Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15).  When we pray, we should be conscious of the special ministry of the Spirit in prayer, Romans 8:26 – “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.”  I often think how miserable it would be to do ministry work if it weren’t for the wisdom and strength and convicting element of the Holy Spirit.  We desire the influence and assistance of the Spirit.  We are thankful to God for His promise fulfilled in sending us His Holy Spirit.

2 comments:

Jerry Bouey said...

It is interesting to note that both the Holy Spirit and other believers are comforters - ie. those that come alongside with strength.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Believers give comfort/strength from outside of us, but the Holy Spirit brings comfort/strength from within.

Unknown said...

Good point, Jerry.