He saved us through … renewal by the Holy Spirit …
Summary: Like a TV show where a contractor completely makes over an old house into something brand new, the Holy Spirit renews us.
If you have read Paul’s letters, you know that he had an unusually analytical mind. He is very detailed oriented in every way. In the sentence we are meditating on he has broken down the process of salvation into parts. We began yesterday with Part 1: “The Washing of Rebirth.” Today we continue the process with Part II: “Renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
The “rebirth” that Paul refers to is not figurative. Neither is it physical. It is a spiritual rebirth. Jesus explains it this way, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3: 6) The spirit that we are given at birth is different than the spirit God wants us to have.
Renewal is a word that comes from the Greek meaning “renovation.” You might have seen the television shows where camera crews follow people around who rebuild houses for a living? They buy an older house that is rundown and make it new again. The process begins with tearing out the old parts of the house that cannot be saved. Sometimes there is not much left when they are done with this part! The next part is rebuilding.
The new house is redesigned for better functionality and appearance. Rooms are moved around, walls are taken out, and other changes are made. Things like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are commonly upgraded or redone altogether.
At the end of the show, after all of the structural and mechanical work is done, the finishing touches go on. New paint, landscaping, furniture, and decorations combine to make the house look like a million bucks. The renewal is complete. The old house is just a memory.
“Renewal by the Holy Spirit” is very much the same. Like a housing renovator, the Holy Spirit starts the work of clearing away the old parts of the house that cannot be used. Then the Holy Spirit starts building the new. This is a process that some call sanctification. Because the flesh is always prone to sin (Romans 7:24), it continues until we shed this body.
This is not the whole process of being saved. This is a part of the process. It is a very important part. The work that the Holy Spirit does in us prepares us for eternal life.
Application: How is your renovation going? Is the Holy Spirit still working on demolition, or has the remodel begun?
Food for Thought: How would life be different if there were no renewal by the Holy Spirit? What if Jesus paid for our sins and that was it and nothing else changed?
This food for thought question could really go on for a long time as it covers so much, but this morning as I think on it I think about earthy conscience verses spiritual conviction. I experience moments of conscience when I feel I “may” have wronged someone or “should” do something, but as a Child of God I experience true conviction by the Holy Spirit where there is no doubt the path I should take. It goes way beyond a “moment of clarity” and is as if God is putting a mirror to my face and exposing the absolute truth to me. It can be a sin I’ve committed and need to repent, or it can be a something I need to do for someone else. If there were no Holy Spirit, I would be floundering in my own conscience, which would fail me as it has done throughout my life because it can be bent to satisfy a will that ultimately seeks self-gratification.
Act 24:16-And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
Titus 1:15-Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Romans 8:14-For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Thank you, Chris!
Clarity of conscience is a good thing. 🙂
Having a clear conscience is important. Focusing on what the Lord desires us to be doing is also important. Being as concerned about doing, saying, and thinking what we should be rather than just focusing on items we need to avoid is part of the rebuilding process.
There may still be demolition going on in some areas of our life if the Lord brings them to our attention. But the focus has shifted to a constant concern as to making sure all we are doing all items which are pleasing to Him, magnify Him, build His Kingdom, encourage others who know Him in their walk, and glorify and bring honor and praise to His Name.
Be Blessed and a blessing today,
Jeff,
Thank you! Having a new focus is a significant change.
Nothing would get done,..I would still be living in a pig stall,..whallowing around in my self pity,..it took that stream of living water to cleanse my living area,..more like a hose connected to a fire hydrant,…
If Jesus didn’t come in a hose things out,..the stinch of hate and evil would still be lingering in my heart,..but now there is a fresh aromatic frangrance of love and kindness,…there is a big difference if there was no renewal in my life,..
I still miss the mark,..but cleansed none the less,..
John,
I like your imagery. It also occurs to me that the “stream of living water” is ongoing. There is an initial cleansing, and the fresh water keeps flowing to keep us clean.
How would life be different if there were no renewal by the Holy Spirit? What if Jesus paid for our sins and that was it and nothing else changed?
There would be no Bible, no sound teaching, no conviction of our sins. We would have been back in the days of Noah long ago.
2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Peter 1:20-21, But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Isaiah 59:21, “ As for Me, this is My covenant with them, “says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”
Acts 1:16, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
John 16:8-11 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Thank you, Ron!
Isn’t it amazing how important the giving of the Holy Spirit is? It makes all the difference in the world.
Good stuff here. Thank you all.