He lives in us

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you."

Jesus is nearing the end of his earthly ministry, and is talking to his closest followers. He has announced that he will soon be leaving them, but gathers them close for words of encouragement. Even with his promise that he will ask the Father and he will give them another Counselor, it was still painful that these disciples would be losing Jesus.  He made another promise to them in verse 20, "When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my  Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."

Acts 2:38 assures us the indwelling Spirit is a gift to us, too, at our baptism.  Numerous other promises are given to the Christian as he receives the Holy Spirit. Here are a few:

He leads us in all truth.                                                 He will be in you. 

He gives us the power to be free.                              He helps us in presenting our prayers

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He is a foretaste of future glory.                               He gives life to our mortal bodies. 

Because God, through His Spirit, lives in you, you have a Counselor, an Advocate, a Guide, to be helpful in determining your eternal future. He empowers you with gifts and talents that you are to use for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. 

It is a growing process as we empty ourselves of self, and make room for more and more of God's Spirit to live in us. That is why Paul told the Ephesian Christians, "Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts."  Ephesians 5:18-20

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