Bring Me to Life

 

June 6, 2025

 

Nicene Creed

 “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified…”

John 14:16–17

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever—even the Spirit of truth... You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Romans 8:11

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

 

Of all the statements in the Nicene Creed, the one about the Holy Spirit is often given the least attention, most of the attention goes to God the Father, and God the Son. I suppose that does make some sense given the story of scripture. However, the teaching in scripture and creed also places enormous emphasis on God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of God, is described as the very One who stirs and rouses our faith and brings us into the life that God intends for us all.

The Creed calls Him "the Lord, the Giver of Life." This title is deeply biblical and theological. From the first pages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit is there: “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). Life begins with the spirit’s breath.

Further along in the story we are told that the same Spirit that breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7) also raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). That is not the end of it, however, is it. No, the Bible goes on to say that same Spirit of creation and resurrection,  breathes new life into you and me, giving us spiritual rebirth, transforming our character, enabling and inspiring our witness, and sustaining us in the harder places in life, like suffering.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as, “the Helper,” “the Advocate,” “the Spirit of truth.”  The spirit of God is not some elusive or vague force. The Holy Spirit is God present with us, personal and powerful, who guides us, convicts us, encourages us, and fills us with the love of God (Romans 5:5).

I love the account in Ezekiel 37, there the prophet is led to a valley full of dry bones, which is an image of utter hopelessness. Then God tells him to prophesy to the bones, and as he speaks, the bones come together, but they are still lifeless… until the Spirit comes.

“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.” (Ezekiel 37:10)

This vision is  about how God revives what is dead. It's what the Holy Spirit does in every heart that trusts in Jesus and in every church that feels spiritually dry. The Spirit of God  brings life where there was none. The Nicene creed sums it up well when it announces that the Holy Spirit is, the Lord, the Giver of Life. That’s a good Gospel to digest as we enter into the season of Pentecost.

Let’s Pray

Holy Spirit, You are the living breath of God in me. You give life to what is dry, courage to what is timid, and power to what is weak. Fill me today. Let me become more aware of Your presence and more responsive to Your voice. Breathe fresh life into me and into Your Church. Amen.