September 5, 2025
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
There is a false teaching that says that no one could be lost if they have ever come to saving faith. Popularly going by the slogan, “Once saved, always saved,” this is a horrible false teaching. One reason this is so horrible is that it leads people to think that it does not matter if they lead a sinful life or not, because they’re automatically in, no matter what. But that’s not what our Scripture reading says.
Today, Paul warns the Ephesians to “not grieve the Holy Spirit.” Grieving the Holy Spirit is when a believing Christian nevertheless turns to a life of intentional, willful sin against the Ten Commandments. We see this with King David, who lost the Holy Spirit for many months after he slept with Uriah’s wife. There are various other Scriptural and life examples as well where someone had the faith and lost it. When the Holy Spirit is grieved, He flees the person’s heart and takes saving faith with Him, too. This is one reason why sexual sin is especially dangerous. It is a faith killer.
Once saved, always saved? No. But what we can say, and are glad to say, is that even the lost can be found. Even when Christians fall into sin, God calls them to renewed repentance for all their sins. No one living is hopeless. No one living is outside of God’s desire to redeem. God wants all to be saved, to repent and believe in the Gospel. Our sins abound. We would be lost without the mercy of Jesus. But He is merciful. He gave His life for sinners. He died for all sins - even future sins that haven’t been done. He defeated death for us by His glorious resurrection. Now He sends His Holy Spirit by His Word, even when people have turned away. By that Word, the Holy Spirit comes. He brings the unrepentant to repent, and the repentant to faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit can restore faith to those who have fallen away - He did with King David, after all. He sent Nathan the prophet, whose words of the Law broke David’s hardness of heart, and whose words of the Gospel restored David to saving faith. Then, as a fruit of saving faith, the Holy Spirit restores the forgiven believer to holiness of living.
The Holy Spirit has sealed you for the day of redemption. He did not come to sanctify sin, but He did come to sanctify you. And through faith in Christ alone, you remain God’s temple, and the Holy Spirit dwells in you. Continue in this faith and in a God-pleasing life!
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Let me be Thine forever, My faithful God and Lord; Let me forsake Thee never Nor wander from Thy Word. Lord, do not let me waver, But give me steadfastness, And for such grace forever Thy holy name I’ll bless. (LSB 689:1)
Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.