How Do We Follow Someone We Can’t See?
Rediscovering the Purpose of the Holy Spirit
In ongoing conversations about leadership and discipleship within the Body of Christ, one question seems to rise to the surface time and again—both in my own heart and in the hearts of many others:
With all this emphasis on following Jesus, how do we actually follow someone who is no longer physically present?
This is not merely a modern question. It’s one that the first disciples struggled with as well. Imagine being in their shoes—walking side by side with Jesus, witnessing His miracles, hearing His teaching, experiencing His compassion. And then, suddenly, He tells them He is going away.
“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 go, I will send Him to you.”
— John 16:7, ESV
At first glance, this statement from Jesus seems counterintuitive. How could it possibly be better for Him to leave? And yet, Jesus was not abandoning His followers. He was preparing them for something greater—the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would dwell within them.
The Purpose in the Personhood of the Holy Spirit
Too often, the Holy Spirit is misunderstood or misrepresented. In some circles, He is reduced to a vague force or emotional experience. In others, He is largely ignored due to confusion or theological discomfort.
Yet Scripture presents the Holy Spirit not as an abstract influence, but as a divine Person—the third Person of the Trinity. He is fully God, eternally present, and actively at work in the life of every believer.
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth... You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
— John 14:16–17, ESV
Jesus did not send the Spirit merely to comfort us emotionally, but to empower us spiritually. The Holy Spirit teaches, convicts, guides, sanctifies, and seals us for redemption. Through Him, we are equipped to live out our faith and reflect the character of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him (see John 14:26; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 1:13–14).
To follow Jesus today is to walk in step with the Spirit He has given us.
When the Church Loses Sight of the Spirit
In recent decades, many segments of the Church have tended toward extremes when it comes to the Holy Spirit. On one end, His presence is reduced to emotional excess or unpredictable manifestations. On the other, His work is diminished to the point of neglect, where reason and structure take precedence over intimacy and spiritual empowerment.
Neither extreme reflects the biblical witness. The Holy Spirit is not a spiritual buzzword or a relic of the early Church. He is the ongoing, present-tense presence of God in our lives. He leads us into truth, shapes our inner character, and enables us to follow Jesus in both word and action.
“We receive the Spirit of Christ so that we may be made like Christ.”
— Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, Book 5
Why This Matters
How we understand the Holy Spirit affects how we live out our faith. It shapes:
Our view of God – Is He distant and impersonal, or near and relational?
Our understanding of salvation – Is it a one-time decision, or a daily process of transformation?
Our relationship with the divine – Are we trying to please a God who feels far away, or walking with the One who lives within us?
“If the Holy Spirit is in us, we are not merely imitators of Christ but sharers in His life.”
— Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures
Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity becomes a memory of Jesus—something historical and distant. With the Spirit, it becomes a living, dynamic relationship, through which we grow, hear, respond, and lead others toward Christlikeness.
If You’re Still Exploring Faith…
If you're not sure where you stand in your faith journey, or if you're exploring who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him, know this: you’re welcome here.
Even Jesus’ closest disciples didn’t fully understand everything He taught at first. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come not only to empower, but also to teach and to remind them of all that He had said (John 14:26). That same promise is extended to us today.
“The Spirit comes where the Son is glorified, and where the Father is known.”
— Augustine, On the Trinity, Book XV
Jesus knew this journey of faith would be difficult to navigate alone. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit—not as a concept, but as a Comforter, Counselor, and Companion.
So How Do We Follow Someone We Can’t See?
We follow Jesus today by the Spirit He has given us.
The Holy Spirit is not a stand-in for Jesus. He is the very means by which Jesus remains with us. Through the Spirit, we are led into truth, empowered for mission, and equipped for a life of holiness, compassion, and courage.
He reminds us of who Jesus is. He brings Scripture to life. He stirs our hearts when we’ve grown weary. He draws us back when we’ve wandered. And He empowers us to live not just for Christ—but with Christ.
Final Thought
The question is not whether Jesus is still leading—He is.
The better question is:
Are we walking in step with the Spirit He sent us to follow Him?
In rediscovering the person and purpose of the Holy Spirit, we don’t just reclaim a forgotten doctrine—we step into the fullness of life that Jesus promised.
If this post spoke to you, I encourage you to take time this week to prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to make Himself known to you—whether you’ve been a believer for years or are simply curious about what it means to follow Jesus. He is near, and He is faithful to reveal the heart of Christ to those who seek Him.
