John 16:7 – Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
This verse is critical in understanding the power of the partnership given to us when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. The word advantage used here is sumphero which is a word describing the benefit or blessing received when two parties are brought together in union. In this case we are joined together with the Holy Spirit in a supernatural bond. It is impossible to exaggerate the benefit we receive from this. The Holy Spirit comes upon us, as well as, within us, empowering us to live a whole new and different kind of life. We are filled and equipped with supernatural power that makes all things possible. Here is something Matthew Henry says about this passage:
“The sending of the Spirit was to be the result of what Christ purchased, and that purchase was to be made through his death. It was to be an answer to his intercession in God’s inner sanctuary. This gift must both be paid for and prayed for by our LORD Jesus. The disciples must be weaned from his physical presence before they were properly prepared to receive the spiritual help and comforts of a new era. If I depart, I will send him to you. Even though he was departing, he would send the Comforter; in fact, he was departing deliberately to send him. The presence of Christ’s Spirit in his church is so much more desirable than his physical presence that it was really to our advantage that he go away. His physical presence could be only in one place at one time, but his Spirit is wherever two or three are gathered in his name (Mt 18:20). Christ’s physical presence draws people’s eyes; his Spirit draws their hearts.”
So what are some of the ways we gain an advantage through this new partnership? First, we are filled with power to live a new and victorious life walking in holiness and free from the sinful pleasures of this world. Next, we are filled with power to be witnesses to others of this powerful new life we have received. We are filled with a spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to know God’s purposes and plans and to initiate them in our lives. Like Peter on the Day of Pentecost we are filled with boldness and power to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. He literally fills our mouths as we open them to preach the good news. And most of all He gives us supernatural power to worship so that we can enter into the holy presence of God. We have an clear advantage in this life not held back by human limitations but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.