THE KING’S BUSINESS
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acceptability with Him, then we are pray ing in Jesus’ name and then we will get the things we ask whatsoever they may be. Jesus has given us a right to approach God on the, ground of His claim upon Him, and when we do so, no [natter how sinful we may have been Jesus Himself will do what we ask of the Father in His name. But let us note carefully to whom this promise is made; it is not made, to every one, but as the context shows in what comes before and what follows, the promise is made to and only to those who are united to Jesus Christ by a living faith that reveals itself in an obedient love (vs. 1 2 , IS). Wednesday, July 26 . John 14 : 15 - 17 . “If ye love me,” says Jesus, “ye will keep my commandments.” Jesus rings the changes ,on this thought (cf. vs. 21, 23). The one conclusive proof of love to Jesus is keeping His commandments. Some of us wonder whether we do really love Him, and we try to look into our hearts and fancy' we see there outgoings of affection toward Jesus, but that is not conclusive proof of love to Him. Do we keep His commandments? That is the only question, that tells the story. If we are keeping His commandments, even though we see no stirrings of affection, we may know that we love Him. On the other hand, no mat ter what warm feelings or stirrings of affection we may find in our heart, if we are not keeping His commandments, we do not love Him. And note further that it is not merely obeying His command ments that He speaks of, but keeping, that is, ’ guarding as a precious treasure His commandments. Do you set high value on the commandments of Jesus, obeying them and treasuring them? That is the one decisive proof of love. Now if we have this love that keeps His commandments it will be richly repaid, the Lord Jesus will pray the Father for us and as a result of that mighty, all-prevailing, prayer, the Father will give us the Holy Spirit. This is another comforting thought to banish all our heart trouble. Because He will give
us the Holy Spirit if we love Him with true love shown by keeping His command ments, whatsoever we pray for in His name we will get, because we will be praying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and asking for the things which are accord ing to His will (cf. Rom. 8:26, 27). It is evident from these words of our Lord that the one supreme condition of our receiving'the Holy Spirit is that we have that love for Jesus that leads us to keep His commandments. This same condition was stated by Peter, in a later day (Acts 5:32). God gives the Holy Spirit to those that obey Him, because they are the ones for whom Jesus prays (v. 16). The faith that receives all God has cannot be sepa rated from the love that obeys all Jesus says. Oftentimes when we see others who are enjoying the fullness of the Spirit’s presence and power we wish that we could get some man mighty in prayer to pray for us, that we too might receive the Holy Spirit. But these words tell us that,we can, have something better than some man, no matter how mighty he may be in prayer, to pray for us, viz., we can have Jesus, Him self pray for us. The condition is that we have the love to Him that keeps His commandments. The title given to the , Holy Spirit in this promise, is deeply sug gestive,, “Comforter.” There is no one comforts as He does. There is no sorrow so deep but He can comfort. Neverthe less the word “Comforter” does not begin to give the full meaning of the Greek word s 6 translated; it means Comforter plus much more beside. It is the same wcJrd that is translated “advocate” in 1 Jno. 2:1. The believer has two advocates, Jesu 3 Christ, his ever-living advocate, who inter cedes for him at the right hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit who intercedes for him down here (Rom. 8:26, 27). But the word “Advocate” does not give the full force» of th e ,original. The Greek word mean? literally, one called to stand along side of another to tgke his part. No one English word can be found to give the full force of the Greek word. What it means is another ever-present helper, always at our
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