What does this mean?
Answer - I believe
that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or
come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me
with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls,
gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and
keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He
forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day
will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in
Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
The Holy Spirit has two great functions. First, He reveals
God’s truth to people. He also enables people to recognize this truth when they
see and hear it. (See 1 Corinthians 13:3, Therefore I make known to you that no
one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no
one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.)
If the Holy Spirit reveals truth and gives us the ability to
believe, understand, and act on this revelation, then a rejection of this
revelation is a rejection of the Holy Spirit. This rejection would be a result
in some dire consequences.
The Holy Spirit, calls gathers, enlightens, sanctifies and
keeps us in the faith. He plants the seed of faith into our heart. (Calls and
gathers) He causes growth toward the light of the Gospel. (Enlightens) Through
good works, the faith flowers and produces fruit. (Sanctifies) He waters and
nurtures the plant of faith so that it remains green. (Keeps) Remember, you
can’t make a plant grow but you can crush it with your heel.
Almighty God, You gave
Your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Himself. Grant that we, Your
adopted children by grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through
Jesus Christ, our Lord
Collect for spiritual
renewal, Lutheran Service Book © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Artwork by Ed Rojas, © Higher Things
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