God's Holy Fire: 'How Did You Receive the Spirit?'

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
— Galatians 3:2 NIV

Key Thought

Most of us love lists. We can check things off our lists and show we've completed our tasks. If we don't complete our list, we feel like we deserve any negative consequences. The Holy Spirit, however, is not something we deserve. The Spirit is a gift Jesus gives to those who believe in him - those who trust in and share with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism (1 Corinthians 15:1-5; Romans 6:3-6). Paul was reminding these Galatian Christians that no list, not even one given in the law, can bring the Holy Spirit to them. They received the Spirit because they fully believed in Jesus who poured out this gift upon them (Titus 3:3-7). No wonder Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit as one of God's greatest gifts (Luke 11:11-13).

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for the gift of your Son who died for my sins and was raised from the dead to give me the victory over sin and death. I also thank you, dear Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is your presence that lives in me. May my life be to your glory, O God. In the name of Jesus, I offer you my deepest thanks! Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

How Are You Going to Finish?
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After..."
Heirs of Abraham
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Thank you for giving us your Spirit, not through works of law but through faith in our hearts. Even Abraham was saved by faith, for he....."
Shocking Language, Amazing Grace!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Some of Paul's language in his letter to the Galatians is harsh. He begins his letter without his normal prayer of thanksgiving for..."
Who Leads in Your Dance of Life?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King, You may have noticed in our time together the last few days that I have had you read from Galatians and/or James in your..."

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 3:2 NIV — I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ's Admonition' (1 Co. 4:14-21)
"Dear Father, king of the ages, I am proud to be your child, and I want to listen carefully to your admonition. Help me to listen to you through the....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me' (Jn. 5:9-13)
"But [Jesus healed the man by the pool of Bethesda] on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Remembering God's Work in Our History'
"Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'How Good!' (Ps. 147:1)
"Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!"

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations