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Building One Another


E. Stanley Ott

ALONGSIDE Vol 14 No 19

June 2, 2015

Dear Friend,

Recently a friend helped me figure out how to navigate a complex situation I was facing. It reminded me of one of my favorite New Testament words, paraclete, which means, “one who is called alongside to help.” 

“Paraclete” describes the very character of God for ours is the “comes alongside to help God.” 

God the Father is our Paraclete – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort [paraklaysis]”  II Corinthians 1:3.*   

Jesus the Son is our Paraclete - “But if any one does sin, we have an advocate [paraklaytos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" I John 2:1.  

The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete – “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [paraklaytos, also helper] to be with you forever” John 14:16. 

The whole Trinity is our Paraclete – Who loves to come alongside us – to help us.

In the same way, we are sent to be paracletes to the people positioned in our lives – sent to come alongside them to offer help, encouragement, and presence.

Thank God for the paracletes in your own life, the people who love you, guide you when the going is tough, who put steel into your backbone when you are afraid, who stand with you in the storm. 

Joy to you - E. Stanley Ott                              
Copyright 2015 E. Stanley
*Scripture from the RSV