Holy Spirit - Beginning and Perfection of our Christian Life

January 22, 2013 - Galatians 3:1-5

3:1		無 知 的 加 拉 太 人 哪 、 耶 穌 基 督 釘 十 字 架 、 已 經 活 畫 在 你 們 眼 前 、 誰 又 迷 惑 了 你 們 呢 。
3:2		我 只 要 問 你 們 這 一 件 、 你 們 受 了 聖 靈 、 是 因 行 律 法 呢 、 是 因 聽 信 福 音 呢 。
3:3		你 們 既 靠 聖 靈 入 門 、 如 今 還 靠 肉 身 成 全 麼 ． 你 們 是 這 樣 的 無 知 麼 。
3:4		你 們 受 苦 如 此 之 多 、 都 是 徒 然 的 麼 ． 難 道 果 真 是 徒 然 的 麼 。
3:5		那 賜 給 你 們 聖 靈 、 又 在 你 們 中 間 行 異 能 的 、 是 因 你 們 行 律 法 呢 、 是 因 你 們 聽 信 福 音 呢 。

 ¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? ⁴ Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

Paul proclaims that the crucifixion of Jesus for our sins is clearly portrayed to us everyday. It is also a reminder that we received the Spirit by the Gospel - that is the beginning of our Christian life, and at the same time it is the same Spirit that we rely on as we progress and complete our spiritual journey on earth. The Spirit is the beginning and the perfection of our Christian life as we all trust in the Jesus and His Gospel. God gave us the Spirit at our conversion and God gives us the Spirit today for sanctifying us and also empowering our ministry for Him.

My God, thanks for giving me Your Spirit. Without Your Spirit, my life would be in vain and relying on my own flesh to live. My Jesus, thanks for your Cross that is the mark of my Christian journey. Without the Cross, my life would be also living in vain and merely for my flesh and the world. My Spirit, I desire to experience your continual works in my life that I am drawn closer and closer to my Father and Jesus Christ through You.