We shouldn’t doubt that the Holy Spirit lives in us, but we should certainly recognize that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19. If someone feels a love for God’s Word and gladly hears, speaks, thinks, teaches, and writes about Christ, you should know that this comes, not from a person’s will or reason, but from the Holy Spirit. It’s impossible for this to happen without the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, where there is hatred and contempt for the Word, we should know that the devil, the ruler of this world, blinds the hearts of the people and holds them captive so that the light of the gospel, the glory of Christ, can’t shine on them. We see this today in the masses who are not moved by the Word but despise it as if it has nothing to do with them. But those who have any kind of love and desire for the Word should gratefully acknowledge that these attitudes are poured into them by the Holy Spirit. For we are not born with these attitudes and cannot acquire them through the law. This transformation rests completely and absolutely in the hand of the Almighty. So when we eagerly listen to preaching about Jesus Christ, the Son of God—who for our sakes became a human being and subjected himself to the law to save us—then God sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts through this preaching. Therefore, it’s very useful for us to remember that we have the Holy Spirit.

Martin Luther | Faith Alone (p. 292). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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Post authored by:

• Tony Phelps

  

  Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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