8/19/13:

TFTD: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” –John 15:26-27

When you were little did you ever get called “my little helper” by a parent? Maybe you were helping bake a birthday cake, or carry in the groceries, or maybe you were just helping clean up the house a little bit. On the flip side, did you ever get in trouble for not helping when you were supposed to? I know I did. I can think of many times that I had a time out or was disciplined because I said I would clean up the house, or do the dishes, and proceeded not to. How many times do we fall into that trap when it comes to our faith lives as well? We hear a really great sermon that encourages us to go and serve others in some capacity, or we go to a conference or big event and have a mountain top experience and come back on fire for God and then let the flame or spark get put out.

            In the early part of John 15 he is inspired by God to share the metaphor of God being the vine and His people being the branches. Furthermore he goes on to say that if we aren’t connected to the vine we can’t and won’t bear good fruit. Thankfully towards the end of the chapter we are reminded that we have a “helper”. The Holy Spirit is our helper in times of need and in those times where we are trying to do the work of God’s kingdom but can’t get up the motivation to actually act upon it. I am also glad that there is forgiveness for the times when we should on ourselves. We think to ourselves “I should…” and then don’t. Be reassured in this, Christ tells us that “I have overcome the world.” We don’t have to worry when we screw up or make mistakes. He has already taken care of it!

“There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.” –Martin Luther