By Faith or By Grace

In the explanation to the Third Article it states, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith." This would mean the main work of the Holy Spirit is to Call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify the Christian Church or communion of Saints.

Why do Lutherans get pegged with not emphasizing the Holy Spirit enough? Many people in the world want to see the Holy Spirit work as he did in Acts. They want to see people getting healed, speaking in tongues, and other wonders. But at the same time they want to take all the credit for their own Faith. You have to make a decision for Jesus. But isn't this taking the greatest works of the Holy Spirit away from him.

We would never take Creation away from God. We would never take the sacrifice for our sins away from Christ (well some would). But why should we claim faith to be our own work. Lutherans emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit greater than any other Church Body. Because we give him the most important and personal work.

He is the one who called me. He is the one who spoke to me by the Prophets. He is the one who brought (gathered) me to the Church. He is the one who reveals to me Jesus and the Father. He is the one who makes me Holy. As St Paul tells me to be clothed in Christ Jesus, who does that? The Holy Spirit has clothed me in Christ Jesus. He is the one who has established faith in me. He is the one who cries out in my heart "Abba! Father!"

Luther also writes, "In this Christian Church [the Holy Spirit] daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers." It is only by the grace of God that I even have faith. Thank you.

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