306. Renewing of Holy Spirit
Titus 3:5c …and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
We are saved not by works, but by mercy and by baptism and by renewing of the Holy Spirit. The renewing of the Spirit is both the one time giving of new life and also the daily and constant renewing of that life. Saving is done once, at baptism or conversion. But it is also vital to our daily life that we know that the Holy Spirit on an ongoing basis renews us. Every time we sin we die to God a little bit and life is diminished. But every time we repent and believe (remember our baptism) we die to self a little bit and life is expanded. Life is full when we sin less and repent more.
Thank God for this promise: the Holy Spirit can renew us instantly and constantly whenever we hear the Gospel. Once we have been renewed by the Spirit and given His life we can choose to enjoy more of the world or to enjoy more of God. One choice brings more death and the other choice brings more life. Therefore choose life by repenting of sin and believing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit brings us to life by hearing with faith. This is the promise: the Spirit renews us. The Spirit works through the Gospel, not the Law. The Law is necessary to convict us of sin and create a thirst and desire for the Gospel, and it is the Gospel that saves and renews life.
We are tempted to rely on our own fleshly efforts to change our ways, to get better, and improve our life, but the self has no power to do that. So we turn to Christ and the Spirit renews us. Thus the Gospel is vital for a rich and fresh life. The Spirit renews through the Gospel, and only through the Gospel, as through means.
Humans have many ways to refresh and renew: vacations, weekends, entertainment, cocktail hour, exercise, and many more. Some are helpful and others are unhelpful, but we all seek “renewing.” The Christian has 24/7 access to renewing whenever we need it, and we need it often. Whenever he takes time out weekly and daily to be exposed the Word of God and prayer the Spirit is always present to renew. Life is good.