John 14:17 (NKJV)

Bible Commentary

John 14:17 is a Bible verse in the New Testament where Jesus is teaching us who has the Holy Spirit, or Spirit of truth. In the two verses immediately preceding John 14:17, Jesus very plainly tells us who that is: those who love Him and keep His commandments.

John 14:15-16 says, “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“

You may wonder if that includes you. Let’s get down to the basics to find out. First of all, we must take that initial leap of faith to believe Jesus was the Son of God and died on the cross for our sins.

Once you ask Jesus’ forgiveness and accept Him as your Savior, the Bible says in John 14:23 that He takes up residence in you.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”

That’s when the Holy Spirit (or Spirit of truth) makes His home with you. Then you are One with the Father and the Son, as John 14:17 says. Being one with Him has great benefits and blessings.

Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit)

So what about the “commands” Jesus told us to keep? Those commands not only sound intimidating, but quite honestly, burdensome. Chances are, you have avoided the Bible or church for that very reason.

Well friend, you can be encouraged, and let me tell you why. Jesus already kept all the commands and lived the perfect life for you and for me. As humans, we are unable to follow all the instructions set forth in the Bible, no matter how hard we try or how committed we are.

We cannot go one day without having an improper thought or word. But Jesus wasn’t just a man, He was both God and man. He fulfilled every rule and every law in the Bible, and then as the perfect sacrifice (or substitute), which God required, He paid the penalty for our sins by giving up His life.

Think on that for a moment. If you are a parent, you can imagine what a sacrifice that must have been for God, the Father.

If you accepted Jesus and His sacrifice for your life, all your sins are gone—past, present and future! Jesus paid the price with His own body. You no longer have the responsibility of keeping all the “commands” and rules because He did it for you, and He is now One with you. He took the burden of that responsibility away from you when He died on the cross.

Your responsibility now is to stay in His Word and be a faithful follower of Him, not rules. That’s how to love Him.

You have an amazing opportunity to live a life completely free from guilt, fear and shame. Grow in your faith with the Holy Spirit (Spirit of truth), and He will set you free.

Study the Bible verse of John 14:17 for yourself and seek the Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit). He will transform your life.