Let the Spirit Do His Work

While preparing for our continuing Bible study on the Augsburg Confession this past Sunday, I came across a fascinating little comment by Prof. John P. Meyer on Article V. As you may recall, Article V states:

That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith, where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake…. (Concordia Triglotta pg. 45, CA V:1-3)

In the midst of a brief article on the phrase “…the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith, where and when it pleases God…”, Meyer addresses a common temptation for the congregations and pastors of his day (the 1940s) - the temptation to depend on personality or popularity or some other means to find success, rather than depend on faithfully proclaiming the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work.

Remarkably (or maybe I should say “sadly”), that temptation is just as common today, if not more so. A “good” shepherd is often expected to have a certain image and a popular personality. Now don’t get me wrong. It’s very important for any Lutheran shepherd to be able to relate and relate well to his flock and to the people of his community, but at the same time, it is not his charisma or his creativity that will bring success to the Word or his congregation. We cannot in any way add to the power of the Word. No, it is the Holy Spirit working through the Word who takes that seed we plant and brings forth a harvest, just as he has done since the beginning. A fitting reminder as we bask in the afterglow of the Festival of Pentecost!

Come, holy Fire, Comfort true;
Grant us the will your work to do
And in your service to abide;
Let trials turn us not aside.
Lord, by your pow’r prepare each heart,
and to our weakness strength impart
That bravely here we may contend,
through life and death to you, our Lord, ascend.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

(Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - CW 176:3, LSB 497:3, ELH 2:3)

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Congregations often demand that their pastors and teachers be good entertainers, fluent speakers, popular with their fellowmen, because they imagine that their success will depend to a great extent on such qualities. Pastors themselves are frequently tempted to resort to some high-pressure methods, as though by their oratory they could add to the power of the Word, or by their personality could force the issue. No, the Holy Spirit works faith through the Word alone; and he does so, not where and when we think is the right place or time, but where and when it pleases God.

Therefore, pastors, teachers, congregations will continue to proclaim the Word - no more, no less. They will not tire of this work; they will not grow impatient if they do not see immediate returns. They know that preaching the Word is like sowing the seed. God has appointed his own time for the harvest, where and when it pleases him.

We may occasionally think the time for testifying is not opportune. Paul, in is farewell letter to Timothy, has this to say, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season” (emphasis Meyer’s) (2 Ti 4:2).

From Studies in the Augsburg Confession, by J. P. Meyer, page 83
(c) 1995 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.