CHAPTER XXII.
THE HOLY GHOST.
IV. THE FRUITS OF HIS WORK.
The Forgiveness of Sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and the Life Everlasting.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit's work in us are: 1. The Forgiveness of Sins. 2. The Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting.
1. THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS has been acquired for me by my Saviour Jesus Christ; [I John 1:7+] but it is made mine by the Holy Ghost, who has brought me to faith and preserved me in it. For it is through faith that I obtain forgiveness. [Rom 5:1]
IN WHICH CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The forgiveness of sins is made mine in the Church through the Word of God and the Sacraments. Faith takes hold of and clings to the promises therein given. Special assurance of forgiveness is also given in Confession and Absolution.
HE DAILY FORGIVES ABUNDANTLY ALL MY SINS. Even if I am a sincere Christian, I am an imperfect and sinful creature, and I need God's forgiveness every day. [I John 1:8, 9, Rom. 7:18-25] By keeping me in a state of repentance and faith, the Holy Spirit secures to me the continuous forgiveness of all my sins. The Christian's life is a daily repentance and a daily believing that God for Christ's sake graciously pardons all our transgressions and shortcomings. [Luke 11:3, 4, Rom 8:32+]
AND THE SINS OF ALL BELIEVERS. All who lead a life of daily repentance and faith are daily and abundantly forgiven.
2. THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING. The work of the Holy Spirit in me will not be completed until the last day.