Why Did God Give Us A Comforter?

Of the 111 times the word ‘peace’ is used in the New Covenant, 89 times it is used to mean; “to join” and “to set at one again.”

I want you to stop and think about this definition of peace; “to join,” and “to set at one again.” The word declares the heart and mind of God relative to salvation. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (Acts 17:26).

Oneness with God and the Son was achieved by receiving the mind of Christ. The mind controls the body; therefore, since we have the mind of Christ, we have His:

• Thoughts
• Emotions
• Desires
• Faith
• Purpose
• Willingness to Suffer

The patriarchs of the Old Covenant did not have the mind of God; therefore, God could not instruct them the same way He instructs us. They could not receive the mystery of Christ, because they were not born of the Spirit; but this mystery must be spiritually discerned.

Nevertheless, oneness was the plan of God from the beginning. He wanted sons who were neither like the angels nor Adam; He wanted sons like Him. This is the whole reason for the sending of the Holy Spirit. He has created peace by “joining” us to Himself.

WHY DO SAINTS SUFFER?

All that is in the world is the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a crooked world, governed by the forces of evil. Nevertheless, we have been sent into the world as lights to confront such darkness. If I am being frank here, it is not merely our words that confront the kingdom of darkness, but our very existence.

Naturally, we will be targets. The enemy will not sit back and watch us destroy his kingdom and influence. Instead he will attack. Having gained permission from our Father, he will bring situations, circumstances, and relationships that will bring great suffering. Despite being manifestations of the devil's hatred, these attacks are simultaneously essential for cultivating character and steadfastness within us.

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Though Paul was constantly beaten and bruised for the gospel's sake, it was the will of God that he faced these things. The messenger of satan was sent to attack Paul, however, God allowed it so that he could gain humility. Thus, the trying of the saints is necessary to build character.

Moreover, we must reveal our love for the Father. If we love Him we will keep His commandments despite the situations we find ourselves in. Even as satan was convinced that Job would curse God if he was tried, he is also convinced that we too will fail under pressure. However, our trials are an opportunity to magnify God, by showing that we choose holiness no matter what we face.

THE NEED FOR THE COMFORTER

Contrary to popular belief, the Father is very mindful of us during these trials.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God will never give us more than we are able to bear. The word “bear” here refers to the ability to endure with unmovable righteous character. We are able to bear it because He provides an escape from the “weight or burden” of the trial. It is indeed a joyful thing to overcome a trial having walked righteously, however, our escape is not limited to the ending of the trial - we escape the weight of the trial by walking in the Spirit. This is where the Comforter comes in.

John 14:18

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. He is the presence of God abiding in us.

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

When we choose to honor God despite the situation, He obligates Himself to the keeping of our souls. He equips our hearts with that which is necessary to righteously endure the trial. He does so by keeping us from negative emotions that would cripple our souls.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If our hearts are at peace in the midst of our sufferings, then what can keep us from continuing in God? Peace and love in the heart is the power to keep our souls. Our suffering is the enemy’s only weapon to bring us into sin. Thus, if we are able to bear such attacks how shall we be moved? We become steadfast when we walk in the power of the Comforter in every situation.

By joining us to the Comforter, we have been empowered to walk in godly peace and love, all the days of our lives.

However, there is another aspect of the Comforter that we must consider.

John 14:16-17

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16:12-13

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

In the context of this text, Jesus was having His last conversation with the disciples before His crucifixion. He had to tell them that He was about to depart. Having heard this, despair filled the their hearts. Having relied on the physical presence of Jesus to lead and guide them, now they will be without Him. Thus, Jesus consoles them stating that He will not leave them in this despair but He will return to them in the form of the Holy Ghost.

The Comforter has two roles.

1. To lead and guide us into the will of God, even as Jesus led the disciples for 3 ½ years.
2. To empower us to bear the will of God for our lives.

Simply the knowledge that saints must suffer is overwhelming for some, however, the Comforter within will confirm this as truth, while simultaneously granting us peace when we accept it.

It is an extremely uncomfortable experience for a son of God to navigate this life or ministry void of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, it is even more uncomfortable to be one with a God who does not speak to you. Yet so many saints dwell in this discomfort daily. They walk on in their way and sins pursuing their hearts desires. However, this was the purpose for the sending of the Comforter to begin with. The Comforter leads us into all truth, it leads us into the will of God for our lives and grants us peace when we pursue it.

What greater comfort is there than to know that God is directing your life? However, it is when we abandon His will that our hearts are filled with turmoil and despair. The Comforter is the birthright of every son, however, we will not experience the peace of God if we abandon His will. Let us choose to submit to God that His peace will abide with us forever.