The Washing of Regeneration

OUR KEY VERSES REMIND us of a very important fact—we do not save ourselves. Even if we have done very righteous deeds with extreme care, that will not achieve salvation for us. God’s kindness saved us. Reflect on that beloved Scripture, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB) Christ is the foundation of our salvation. We embrace the verity expressed in the beloved hymn, Rock of Ages:

“Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sin could not atone; Thou hast saved and thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring; Simply to thy cross I cling.”

“By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10, NASB) Note that we are not created, or regenerated, in Christ Jesus “by” good works, but “for” good works. What good works are we destined for?

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12, NASB) Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, cast out evil spirits, preached the Gospel, and raised the dead. Reigning with Jesus in his kingdom, his church will also do these things. That work will be greater because it will last for eternity! “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”—Luke 12:32, NASB

This hope incites full devotion to do God’s will. We want to inherit the kingdom. We reject our degenerate past and embrace the regeneration offered through Christ, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus.”—II Tim. 1:9, NASB

We are being renewed by the transformation of our minds. (Rom. 12:2) “The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”—I Cor. 6:9-11, NASB

“Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:21,22, NASB) It is our hope and prayer that we all may be spiritually invigorated by the process of regeneration and renewal daily.