Course: Solid Ground - Faith & Family
June 09, 2022 | Dave Rueter
Passage: Ephesians 2:8-9
Third Article - Sanctification
I believe in the Holy Spirit…
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ
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The unifying theme of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed is the work of the Holy Spirit. Following the redemptive ministry of Christ, the Holy Spirit is sent by both the Father and the Son in order to enable humanity to come to a trusting faith in the free gift of salvation as offered by and in Jesus Christ.
The challenging reality of our standing before a holy God is captured well by Paul in Romans 5:10 when he states that “ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” It is hard to think of ourselves as enemies of God, but without the work of the Holy Spirit to call us to faith in Christ, that is just what we were. Paul further points out in Ephesians 2:8-9 that “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We have nothing to be proud of. All that we bring to the Great Exchange in our sin. We deserve death rather than life and instead it is life that we receive.
Earlier in Ephesians 1:13, Paul had already informed his readers that “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” making it clear that it is the work of the Holy Spirit by which we are even able to believe. The Spirit gives us faith and then forms us into the church, which we need in order to support our faith in this hostile world.
Luther states that the work of the Holy Spirit is to call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify. This He does both individually and in the context of the Christian church into which God places us.
Thoughts for Reflection
Why is the work of the Holy Spirit giving you faith a further gift of reassurance of God’s love?
Course Information
The catechism has been a foundational tool in teaching the Christian faith across generations. Yet, too often the catechism is treated as a tool to be used during confirmation class and then placed on the shelf thereafter. This series explores three of the six chief parts from Luther's Small Catechism, focusing on the 10 Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer. Each part is an essential foundation for our faith and something that Luther emphasized ought to be revisited in the Christian home with regularity.
