The Apostles Creed
“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”
What I Can’t…God did
I have often asked my confirmation students, “Can a corpse comb its hair? Can a corpse shake your hand? Can a corpse brush its teeth? Why can’t a corpse do those things?”
Well because a corpse is dead. It can’t do anything.
The Scriptures declare that we are born “dead in trespasses and sins” (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3). Nevertheless, there are some who say that there is a spark of good in us that enables us to make a decision for Christ or choose Christ. The Word of God declares something very different. The Apostle Paul didn’t pat himself on the back but confessed, “I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells…” (Romans 7:18) It’s the same with us.
What I couldn’t and wouldn’t do…God did for me. He sent the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to work a spiritual rebirth in the Sacrament of Baptism (Titus 3:5-8). God did this… not me. He worked spiritual life in me where there was formerly nothing good, nothing spiritually alive.
We confess with good reason, “I believe in the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit).” This too is a matter of faith, for we have never seen the Holy Spirit, but we know His Work within us.
Holy Spirit, strong and mighty, Thou who makest all things new,
Make Thy work within us perfect and the evil Foe subdue.
Grant us weapons for the strife and with victory crown our life.
The Lutheran Hymnal 226:7