Our Triune God never leaves us to battle on our own
by Norma Koehne
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If you love me keep my commands, and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth (John 14:15–17a).
Read John 14:15–31
At the end of this passage, Jesus alludes to the task ahead of him – defeating Satan. He willingly goes to the cross because he loves his Father and does precisely as commanded.
As we follow Christ, we follow his example. Love firstly means loving God will all our heart, soul, strength and mind and then doing all that he has commanded in his holy word. So often today, that means being counter-cultural, turning our backs on so many things the world around us values. This has been the path of Christians throughout the centuries from the time of the Apostles. The church, and we, as God’s people, go astray when we become too comfortable with the world. There are numerous examples, such as the church becoming a political power at the time of Martin Luther.
We need not fear when we seem to be becoming an isolated – even despised – group. Jesus has not left us as orphans, but we have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth supporting and walking beside us. We see the Trinity at work in harmony. The Son requests, the Father gives, and the Holy Spirit comes. We have some wonderful promises if we remain faithful. As Jesus says, ‘the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them’. More than that, he promises, ‘We will make our home with them’. Perhaps best of all, he promises, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you’.
Surrounded with God’s love, with the Spirit making his home among us, and with the peace that only Christ can give, we can be bold in remaining steadfast despite the opposition of the world and, like the Apostles, proclaim the good news of God’s love and salvation through Christ.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank you that together, you surround us with your loving care so that we can have the fullness of joy and peace that only you can give us. Amen.
Norma grew up at Koonibba in South Australia. She was a teacher at Concordia College in SA and then served in various roles in Papua New Guinea with her husband. Returning to Australia, Norma worked as an international student advisor and, after completing a PhD, worked in administration at the University of Divinity. She has been privileged to serve the LCA on the General Church Council and Seminary Council and as president of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Lutheran Women of Australia. Currently, she is happily retired.
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