34
edits
Changes
m
added parenthesis to clarify the point
==Common Misconceptions in the West of The Holy Spirit <ref>Clark Carlton, The Truth (Salisbury, MA: Regina Orthodox Press, 1999), pp. 58-61.</ref>==
In common Western Christianity (i.e. Roman Catholicism and subsequent Protestant beliefs) the power of God is considered created, and grace is considered something intrinsic to man. Orthodoxy considers the Holy Spirit to be the Power of God (i.e. His Grace). The Orthodox, however, point out that anything that existing ''before'' creation ''is'' God; and (as there is never a time God existed without His Power, ) God's Power is also God and, in fact, is the Holy Spirit.
This has important theological implications because in common Western Christianity, when God's grace comes to a person, it is God's favor, not God's Spirit by which we are saved. In fact, according to St. Seraphim of Sarov, the purpose of one's life is to acquire the Holy Spirit, for this is how believers participate in the life of God--through the indwelling of His Spirit--to become gods (John 10:34). (''see'' [[theosis]])