The Path to Perfect Peace – Center on the Spirit: Come Holy Spirit!

Key Verse

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:26-27 (NIV)

Short Reflection

An Archbishop once said that if the Holy Spirit was removed from the church today, the world would not know the difference. Ouch! Sad but probably true in many churches. In today’s passage Jesus tells the disciples, and us, why the Father sent the Holy Spirit:

• To be our Advocate, standing  with us before the Father who sends Him to us
• To teach us what we need to know, in every situation, for wisdom and discernment
• To remind us of all that Jesus said, when all too easily we forget
• To give us peace, but not the fragile peace of the world, and He gives it, freely
• To deal with the troubles and fears of life in partnership with us.

The Holy Spirit has been described as the forgotten member of the Trinity. He is not just an optional extra, but is at the very center of our faith. We neglect Him at our peril. We emasculate His church as we do without Him. Our hearts are troubled and our lives damaged by fear. Which is why we can pray right now; “Come Holy Spirit!” But beware! There will be life-changing consequences as we do.

This is the second in the “Center on the Spirit” series of blog posts and comes from our good friend from Australia, David Cohen, Co-Director of Moringa Associates in Australia.