John14:25-26; Romans 8:12-17

       The sixth provision of Christ is a pertinent prodding (v25-26).
          What we have seen in these promises is quite wonderful but also a challenge to our thoughts.  In v20 we see two of the three great “unities” in Scripture.  There is the hypostatic union, as theologians call it.  It is the oneness of the Father and Son.  Then there is the mystical union, the oneness of the believer with Christ.  (The third unity is the oneness of believers which Christ prays for in John 17.)  Who can fully appreciate these truths?
          In addition, who can remember what it is that Christ has provided?  We will likely forget on occasion our hope or our prayer privilege or the blessing of His presence.  How often have we struggled in our day-to-day lives simply because we forget about some resource or relationship that would have eased our burden?
          For that reason Christ not only provides resources; He provides the Holy Spirit to remind us of what Christ has given us.  Paul noted the same thing in 1 Cor. 2:12; Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
          We see further how this is so helpful to the believer in the Romans passage.  Notice how Paul is in perfect agreement with the Lord in John 14.
          – Paul recognizes that we must live our lives according to God’s provision.  
             We cannot deal with sin in our own strength (in the flesh) but only in the
             Spirit (v12-13).
          – He then connects the ministry of the Spirit with our intimate relationship with
             God (v14).  Jesus gave the Spirit to be our helper, to lead us as Paul says. 
             Jesus tied this promise to our personal relationship with the Father; even so
             Paul notes that those led by the Spirit are sons of God (Rom. 8:14).
          – Finally, Paul recognizes that pertinent prodding by the Spirit (v15-17).  As
             we live our lives the Holy Spirit speaks deeply to us that we are God’s sons.
             We don’t live by fear.  We are not bound by sin.  We are God’s children,
             and thus His heirs.  Amazingly, we are joint heirs with Christ.  We have the
             resources to live that Christ had available in His early life.
          So we thank our Lord that He has not only given us great resources but has given the Spirit to prod us.  Believers have every reason to live abundantly in Christ.