Never Alone
He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.
John 14:16–17
While writing a Bible guide for pastors in Indonesia, a writer friend grew fascinated with that nation’s culture of togetherness. Called gotong royong—meaning “mutual assistance”—the concept is practiced in villages, where neighbors may work together to repair someone’s roof or rebuild a bridge or path. In cities too my friend said, “People always go places with someone else—to a doctor’s appointment, for example. It’s the cultural norm. So you’re never alone.”
Worldwide, believers in Jesus rejoice in knowing we also are never alone. Our constant and forever companion is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Far more than a loyal friend, the Spirit of God is given to every follower of Christ by our heavenly Father to “help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16).
Jesus promised God’s Spirit would come after His own time on Earth ended. “I will not leave you as orphans,” Jesus said (v. 18). Instead, the Holy Spirit—“the Spirit of Truth” who “lives with you and will be in you”—indwells each of us who receives Christ as Savior (v. 17).
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, Encourager, and Counselor—a constant companion in a world where loneliness can afflict even connected people. May we forever abide in His comforting love and help.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
Jesus promised we will always have companionship with the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us. To learn more about basic Christian beliefs visit christianuniversity.org/ST101.
As a believer in Christ, how does it encourage you to know that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you? How have you neglected God’s comfort?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When Jesus was about to return to the Father, He promised His disciples He wouldn’t abandon them but would ask the Father to give them “another advocate,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). Advocate is from the Greek word paraklētos, which means “one who helps or enables another person” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8). Various translations render this word “Helper” (nkjv), “Counselor” (niv), “Comforter” (kjv), and “Friend” (the message).
There are two different Greek words for “another”: heteros, which connotes another of a different kind; and allos, which means another of the same kind. Allos is the word used in John 14:16. When the Father sent the Spirit, He sent an equal—a personal representative (v. 26), not an inferior or subordinate substitute. The Spirit continues what Jesus did: He comforts, encourages, guides, and strengthens. He reminds us of all that Jesus taught (v. 26; 16:12-15). K. T. Sim
There are two different Greek words for “another”: heteros, which connotes another of a different kind; and allos, which means another of the same kind. Allos is the word used in John 14:16. When the Father sent the Spirit, He sent an equal—a personal representative (v. 26), not an inferior or subordinate substitute. The Spirit continues what Jesus did: He comforts, encourages, guides, and strengthens. He reminds us of all that Jesus taught (v. 26; 16:12-15). K. T. Sim
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