By Rev. J. Loren Russell
John 16:7 KJV
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
There is a time and a season for everything. The writer of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to build up and a time to tear down. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccl. 3:1-4). Time reveals the purpose for everything. Some purposes can be surmised readily, others discovered after the time has passed.
In the text, Jesus is speaking about the time for the Comforter to come. The completion of His assignment as the sacrificial Lamb of God was almost at hand. He had taught all he needed to teach and healed all He was going to heal. Now it was time for the Comforter. Jesus explained to his disciples that it was now time for Him to return to the one who sent Him, and that His departure was necessary to make way for the Comforter to come. They were both a part of the Godhead, but they had different purposes. Their time was different, so they were not on purpose at the same time.
Specifically, Jesus came to be the sacrificial Lamb of God. At his departure, He would send the Comforter. The Comforter, also referred to as The Holy Spirit, would come to live in believers, convict the world (people) of sin, reveal God’s righteousness, and expose the mystery of the coming judgment. He would also guide and teach all truth, reveal the future, and glorify Jesus by sharing everything Jesus tells Him.
I believe that the Lord has put each of us in this life for a purpose. It is up to us to find that purpose. If you know your purpose, the question you must ask yourself is, “Am I living in that purpose?” If you do not know your purpose, the question for you to ask is, “Am I ready to discover and then live in that purpose?” The Comforter was sent as a teacher and a guide. If you ask, He will help you find your purpose.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company and The J. Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords).
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