The Holy Spirit, I

We as Lutherans don’t talk much about the Holy Spirit. It’s as if we are afraid of it, or maybe we have experienced some worship during which worshippers broke out into utterances of strange languages or fits of fancy which made us uncomfortable. But it is okay to talk about God’s Spirit, indeed necessary.

We Lutherans believe that without the work of God’s Spirit we wouldn’t be followers of Jesus at all. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to and keep us in the faith. It is the Holy Spirit who gifts us with our many talents and abilities with which we carry out our ministry in Jesus’ name. We also believe that it is the Spirit who draws us to the gathering of God’s people, the Church, in which we hear that our sins are forgiven, we share the body and blood of Christ, and from where we are sent back into the world.

In today’s lesson, Paul asserts that it is the Spirit of God who affirms that we are children of God, and not just children but heirs. To us belong all the blessings that God has to offer.

Thank God every day for the Holy Spirit.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart. Draw me close to Jesus; forgive my sins. Amen. — DAB