Moe Bergeron

One of the most freeing truths in Scripture is that the Holy Spirit is not a prize for the righteous, but a promise to the believing. He is not a reward for our goodness, but the guarantee of God’s grace.

Galatians 3:14 (NLT)

“Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”

Reflection
There’s a natural instinct in many of us to want to deserve what we’re given. It feels safer to think that God’s blessings are somehow tied to our performance. But the Spirit of God doesn’t come to those who have proven themselves holy—He comes to those who admit they’re not and throw themselves on the mercy of Christ.

Paul goes out of his way to emphasize this in Galatians. He reminds the believers that they didn’t receive the Spirit by obeying the law but by believing the message about Christ (Galatians 3:2). The Spirit wasn’t given because they earned Him—but because God promised Him.

And what a promise it is. The Holy Spirit is not a vague spiritual force—He is God’s personal presence in us. He guides, comforts, convicts, and empowers. He assures us that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). And He doesn’t come and go based on our emotions or behavior—He comes to stay.

This doesn’t mean we treat the Spirit casually, but it means we relate to Him as a gift of grace. He is not a visitor to impress but a helper to rely on. Our call is to receive, respond, and surrender—not to strive or perform.

Application
Rest in the promise today. You don’t need to work your way into God’s presence—you’re already there in Christ. If you’ve placed your faith in Him, the Spirit lives in you. Lean into that. Invite Him to speak. Trust Him to lead. And when you fall short, remember: He came not because you were perfect, but because God is faithful.

References

Galatians 3:2 (NLT)
“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.”

Romans 8:16 (NLT)
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”

Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You that You are a gift, not a reward. I didn’t earn Your presence, and I don’t have to fight to keep it. Teach me to walk in Your guidance and depend on Your strength. Let my heart be anchored in the promise, not in my performance. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness to give what You have promised. Amen.