Your Spiritual Life: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

Trinity at work: The Spirit’s renewal

Scripture says that we are saved by grace (Christ’s work) through faith, and here’s where the Spirit comes in. It is the Spirit’s great work to connect spiritually dead people with their living Savior by creating faith in their hearts. He also sustains our faith through his wonderful Word and the Holy Supper.

Let St. Paul explain: “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4,5). Through the washing of your baptism you actually experience spiritual rebirth and come alive.

You are spiritually renewed as well, and that process continues throughout your life on earth. Your Christian progress may look like the jagged ups and downs of the Dow Jones averages, but through Word and Supper you will grow stronger and steadier over time. The Spirit helps you think straight, renews your determination to resist Satan, strengthens your willpower, awakens the gifts he placed within you, makes you useful to his agenda for healing and reconciliation, and restores your joy and optimism.

His annual festival is the Feast of Pentecost. Remember to wear red in his honor!