Galatians 3:2

Galatians 3:2: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” God grants you his Spirit or grace only with the Word. It’s the Word of God. It’s not anything that you or I have control over, or authority over. It tells us what is true. Your mind and reason and emotion can’t overcome it. There might be passages that seem obscure and maybe even irrational or wrong. But God does not lie. Instead of throwing out the value of the book, the Word, take the advice of Martin Luther. When he came across a passage he didn’t understand, he said, “I tip my hat to the Holy Spirit and acknowledge that he is wiser than I.” Examine yourself: do you value your own wisdom? Do you think you’re right all the time? Really look. It’s easy to say “no,” but in practice you shut out others who disagree, without even listening to their reasoning. You’re hot-headed, but you call it passionate. You’re judgmental, but you call it protective. You’re pushy, but you call it advocating. This and many other sinful behaviors like it are unnecessary and misguided. You don’t need to do anything. You get to be passive in your salvation. Jesus did it. And now he gives you his Word. You don’t even need to get up and take it. The Holy Spirit creates that faith in your heart which receives it. God is giving you his life. There’s no need to fight. Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.