True, assistance isn’t one of the traits Paul listed in Galatians. But it is definitely a fruit of the Spirit. First of all, it’s an attribute of God; the Holy Spirit is our assistant, or advocate, our pará-klitos, (Jn 14.26) as is Jesus. (1Jn 2.1) Second of all, it’s one of the products of prophecy, (1Co 14.3) and since prophecy is produced by the Spirit, (2Pe 1.20-21) the fruit of prophecy—assistance—is likewise produced by the Spirit. Q.E.D.
The Greek word pará-klisis literally means “with-called,” but don’t take that compound literally—any more than you would the word “bootleg.” Over time it evolved to mean one who assists, specifically, assists others towards the right direction. That’s why a lot of the time, it’s translated “helper” or “encourager” or “comforter” or “advocate.” If you’re going the wrong way, an assistant is meant to nudge you—or, if it comes to this, drag you kicking and screaming—in the proper direction. And if you’re going the right way, an assistant is meant to help you go even further.
Part of the church’s purpose is that Christians support one another in following Jesus. We’re to be one another’s assistants. If we can help, we need to offer to do so. If we can’t, we need to learn how to be useful, rather than dodge every responsibility on the grounds that we’re not knowledgeable enough, not talented enough, not patient enough, have no time, have no money, or whatever other excuse we can invent. That’s not gonna fly with God, who intends for every Christian to be useful, and who gives us the Spirit’s power for precisely that purpose.
Most Christians only care to help in ways where they feel capable. If they have some musical ability, of course they want to help lead the worship music. If they have some technical ability, they offer to operate equipment. If they think they can do some public speaking, they ask to preach. If they think they know their bible, they try to teach. There’s nothing wrong with doing the things we’re talented in doing. That is, after all, why God put those abilities into us in the first place.
But sometimes a need arises that doesn’t require any of our talents. Sometimes a car breaks down, and we need mechanics… and lack them. Sometimes a person has a medical problem, and there are no nurses or doctors among us. (Or, at least, there are none who are willing to treat patients unless they’re covered by their malpractice insurance, i.e. at the hospital, getting paid.) Sometimes a person needs counseling, and none of us have trained as a counselor, and the best we can come up with is, “Just trust Jesus. He’ll cheer you up. You know, a memory verse that always cheered me up is…” Or worse, we’ll try an exorcism.
In those cases, one of us is going to have to step up and help in a way where they’re not comfortable. And in those cases, everybody looks the person in charge: Somehow the pastor has to figure out how to do all of these things. ’Cause no one else in the church can. More accurately, no one else in the church will try.
Truly fruitful Christians will, in these cases, step up. They won’t say, “I can’t,” but “I’ll try.” Yeah, we may not be the best person for the job. If you want me to fix your computer, there’s a better than average chance I will wreck it. But if you’re insistent, I’ll give it a shot. We humans can do whatever we set our minds to do. I can, with effort, learn to fix a computer. I’ve had to learn to do all sorts of things in order to help out with various ministries. That’s just how ministry works. But there are a lot of Christians who, when someone has an unexpected need, are nowhere to be found. They won’t minister unless the work comes easy.
The same is just as true of forms of ministry that don’t actually require special skills. You likely know a Christian or two who is always offering to help in anything you might need. Anything. They’ll give you a bible, buy you lunch, give you clothes, help you find a job, give you a car… Generosity is not a special talent. It is a trait any Christian can develop. Sadly, not every Christian cares to. When the church work day rolls around, or when someone needs help in moving, suddenly people are “busy.”
Likewise encouragement: Talking our fellow Christians into coming to church, or reading the bible, or regular prayer, or checking up on them to find out how they’re doing—and not settling for “I’m fine” as an answer; you’re not exchanging greetings, you want to know. But fruitless Christians usually don’t care to know. They have their own problems. Or they don’t know how to encourage, and instead nag, or think their constructive criticism is the same thing. They don’t help; they demand. There’s the difference.
So, how can we practice this particular fruit? Well, this one’s a fairly easy fruit to practice. Go up to anyone, and ask, “How can I help?” Once you get the answer, help. And there ya go.
I know; some of you are probably still wondering, “If Paul doesn’t list this fruit in Galatians, how do we know this is a fruit of the Spirit?” Okay, let me ask you whether the pagans have any doubt. If they encounter people who are helping them out, for no other reason than out of a willingness to follow Jesus and reflect the character of God, what else might it be?