John 14:15–18 (WEL) “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 “I will ask the Father; he will give you another Helper so that he may remain with you forever. 17 “He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it doesn’t see or know him, but you know him because he remains with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
V15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
The Greek word for love is G25 ἀγαπάω agapáō, which means to choose to love, show loyalty, faithfulness, etc. It describes God’s love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a.
The Greek word for obey/keep is G5083 τηρέω tēréō, which means to guard and watch closely. In my country, we speak of keeping the speed limit, which is to obey the speed limit.
If we love Jesus, it will show in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds to do what He commands.
We do not obey Mosaic Law; we follow the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Here is a list of a few of Jesus’s commands/rules: 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 (at least 16 commands), Ephesians 4:22–32 (at least 13 commands), and James 1:19–22 (at least 8 commands).
Comments about love:
(Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “In his demand for love, Jesus took up previous sayings: Love God; love neighbor; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But he did so in a startlingly exclusive and unconditional way. Love of God means total commitment and total trust (Matthew 5:29–30; Matthew 6:24ff.). In particular, it involves a renunciation of mammon and of vainglory (Matthew 6:24b, 30ff.). It also calls for resistance to persecution, which is a fiery test of the loyalty of love (Matthew 10:17ff.; Matthew 5:10ff.).”
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “The warm word agape is the characteristic term of Christianity. This word for love is used several different ways in the Bible.
Agape love indicates the nature of the love of God toward His beloved Son (John 17:26), toward the human race generally (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8), and toward those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21). Agape love conveys God’s will to His children about their attitude toward one another. Love for one another was a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34–35). Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God’s love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9–10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer (Galatians 5:22).”
V16 “I will ask the Father; he will give you another Helper so that he may remain with you forever.
Since Jesus is leaving to return to heaven at the ascension (Acts 1:9–12), He tells them that God will still be with them, which refers to God the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for counselor is G3875 παράκλητος paráklētos, which means a helper in many senses as advocate (legal, government, etc.), encouraging, comforting, etc.
V17 “He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it doesn’t see or know him, but you know him because he remains with you and will be in you.
Jesus gives some traits of the Holy Spirit:
- Truth—reality. Everything the Spirit does is reality from His actions to His words.
- Exclusive—He helps in opening the heart and mind of a person (Acts 16:14), convicts (John 16:8), calls to salvation; all of which is to draw everyone to God’s Gospel (He initiates salvation). Sadly, most reject Jesus because they love sin, have pride, and/or believe lies.
- Knowable—He is not a mystical experience. He is a person, the third person of the Trinity.
- Faithfulness, loyalty—He is forever with faithful believers.
- Indwells believers—To guide, teach, convict, stir our memories, help us be bold, strengthen us, and many other blessings.
V18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
The greatest fear of the disciples is that Jesus is leaving them by themselves. Jesus makes it clear that they will not be by themselves, for He will send the Holy Spirit to be with every individual. See Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and Ephesians 2:22.
Here is a short list of some effects of the Holy Spirit on believers:
- Fruit of the Spirit—Galatians 5:22–23
- Helps us in our weakness—Romans 8:26
- Sealed for the day of deliverance (assurance of salvation)—Ephesians 4:30 and Romans 8:14
- Teaching us and guiding us into a more mature Christian life (the Scriptures are the food to grow)—2 Corinthians 3:18
- Teach us from the Scriptures and life—John 14:26
- Assurance of an eternal inheritance—Ephesians 1:13
We learn:
- Of Jesus’s promise that we will not be left alone.
- Of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- Some of the blessings and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Questions:
- How has the Holy Spirit blessed you?
- Are you growing in the Christian faith?