12 August 2026
God does not merely save His people and leave them unchanged. Peter says we are chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.” Gerhard Wessels explains, “The Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity who applies the Father’s plan to the sinner in time.” The Spirit takes what God planned in eternity and applies it to us in our lives. He regenerates our dead hearts. He sets us apart for God. He begins the work of making us holy.
That work begins with regeneration. We cannot make ourselves spiritually alive. Paul writes, “he saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Gerhard reminds us that the Spirit does this “first through regeneration, the washing and renewing of the dead heart.” Christian growth therefore does not begin with trying harder. It begins with God’s mercy. The Spirit gives life, and the Spirit continues to work in those He has made alive.
The Spirit also gives security. Paul writes that believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.” Gerhard explains that “a seal indicated ownership, security, and authenticity.” The Holy Spirit marks us as belonging to God. He is also the guarantee of our final inheritance. You may feel spiritually weak today, but your salvation does not depend on your ability to hold yourself securely. God has given His Spirit to keep His people.
So, identify one area where temptation regularly wins. Do not simply promise yourself that you will “try harder.” Begin each morning this week by asking the Holy Spirit to make you obedient in that specific area. Then take one concrete step of obedience. Gerhard says, “The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit leads to obedience, and obedience matures into spiritual fruit that is visible to all.” Let your children see that dependence too. When you fail, do not pretend that you have everything together. Repent. Ask forgiveness. Let them see that the Christian life depends on the Spirit’s work. As Gerhard puts it, “The Holy Spirit has set you apart.”
Father, thank You for giving me Your Spirit. Help me depend on Him rather than my own strength. Make me holy and obedient, and let my life display Your transforming grace. Amen.