The Holy Spirit Kindles True Faith
Scripture Reading — Galatians 3:26-4:7
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
As much as we might like to, it’s physically impossible for us to fly. We need an airplane or some other flying device to do that. In the same way, it’s spiritually impossible for us to make ourselves right with God. We need faith in the Savior to do that for us; we need Jesus Christ. Today’s passage in Galatians tells us that faith itself comes as a gift from God, when he places the Holy Spirit in our hearts so that we cry out to him as our heavenly Father.
Until the Spirit works in our hearts, we remain spiritually dead and in rebellion against God. When God by his grace sends the Spirit into our hearts, he fills us with new life, kindling true faith in us so that we know Jesus as Savior, and giving us the true knowledge that he has made us for himself.
There’s tremendous comfort and assurance in this teaching about the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a once-off quickening. Instead the Holy Spirit speaks to us continually, reminding us that we are not our own but that through Jesus we belong to God.
As you go about your work today, reflect on the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. He has given you faith so that you can call out to your heavenly Father. Don’t ever let anything you encounter rob you of that truth and joy.
God our Father, you have placed your Holy Spirit in our hearts to help us see Jesus. Help us this day, we pray, to trust and serve you. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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