Theology Thursday
Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Over the past twenty five years or so, I’ve invited a bunch of people to check out Jesus. I’ve explained the gospel to them, or I’ve brought them to talks where the gospel was preached. Most (so far) haven’t believed. Why?
Ultimately, the Scriptures tell us, it is because they are hardened to the gospel. They reject the message, not because it is untrue but because they don’t want it to be. We are slaves to sin. It turns us to self-worship and chains us with desires that lead us to reject the call of God.
Why would you respond to the gospel call to humble yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus as your King? Sin is like noise-cancelling headphones, blocking us from hearing the gospel properly.
But the work of the Spirit is to remove the headphones. It is to soften the heart. It is to give the gift of faith where no faith was previously. We often ask the question - why don’t people believe? But the other question we should ask is, why does any sinner turn to Jesus in faith?
The answer is, because the Father and the Son have sent the Spirit to blow into the hearts of humans. The Spirit opens their spiritual ears to hear the message of the gospel. And when the headphones are removed, when the heart is made soft, we make the natural step which is to believe.
Again, this is to say. It’s by grace alone that we are saved. So let’s keep praying that the Spirit would be at work in those around us.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Romans 10:17 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, Ephesians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 1:18
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Over the past twenty five years or so, I’ve invited a bunch of people to check out Jesus. I’ve explained the gospel to them, or I’ve brought them to talks where the gospel was preached. Most (so far) haven’t believed. Why?
Ultimately, the Scriptures tell us, it is because they are hardened to the gospel. They reject the message, not because it is untrue but because they don’t want it to be. We are slaves to sin. It turns us to self-worship and chains us with desires that lead us to reject the call of God.
Why would you respond to the gospel call to humble yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus as your King? Sin is like noise-cancelling headphones, blocking us from hearing the gospel properly.
But the work of the Spirit is to remove the headphones. It is to soften the heart. It is to give the gift of faith where no faith was previously. We often ask the question - why don’t people believe? But the other question we should ask is, why does any sinner turn to Jesus in faith?
The answer is, because the Father and the Son have sent the Spirit to blow into the hearts of humans. The Spirit opens their spiritual ears to hear the message of the gospel. And when the headphones are removed, when the heart is made soft, we make the natural step which is to believe.
Again, this is to say. It’s by grace alone that we are saved. So let’s keep praying that the Spirit would be at work in those around us.
For Today:
- What’s your experience of inviting people to hear the gospel?
- Why do you think people don’t believe?
- How does this help us pray?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He sent the Son to hardened sinners.
- Give thanks for Christ who died at the hands of sinners for their redemption and resurrection.
- Ask God to send His Holy Spirit to give the gift of faith to those around you.
Passages: Romans 10:17 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, Ephesians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 1:18
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