ownership and grief
“Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with Whom you were sealed against the day of redemption.” —Ephesians 4:30
We want to love God the Holy Spirit, for we are begotten of the Spirit (Jn 3:8), are filled with the Spirit (see Acts 2:4), and follow the lead of the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Nevertheless, we can sadden or grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30).
We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). This means we have been marked or branded as owned by God. The Spirit’s work through our lives should be an exterior expression of this interior mark, sometimes called a “character” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1272, see also 1269). Being sealed with the Spirit means the potential absence in our lives of certain natural human attitudes such as “all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind” (Eph 4:31). The absence of these expressions of our fallen nature indicates that we are born again, have a new nature, and are owned by God. Being sealed with the Spirit also means the potential presence of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Eph 4:32). To err is human; to forgive and show kindness and compassion even to our enemies is truly divine. This indicates we are owned by God.
We love the Holy Spirit by showing that God owns us. We grieve the Spirit by pretending to own ourselves and doing our own thing. Don’t grieve the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, may I say and live the following statement: “I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me” (Gal 2:19-20).
Promise: “If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world.” —Jn 6:51
Praise: Praise Jesus risen! He wants to raise us from the dead! Alleluia forever!
Reference: (Do you know what Spiritual Gifts are? Discover what they are at our retreat Sept. 6-8. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)
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