6/4/14- Regeneration

For by nature we are so dead, blind, and perverse, that neither can we feel when we are pricked, see the light when it shines, nor assent to the will of God when it is revealed, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus quicken that which is dead, remove the darkness from our minds, and bow our stubborn hearts to the obedience of his blessed will. And so, as we confess that God the Father created us when we were not, as his Son our Lord Jesus redeemed us when we were enemies to him, so also do we confess that the Holy Ghost does sanctify and regenerate us, without respect to any merit proceeding from us, be it before or after our regeneration. To put this even more plainly; as we willingly disclaim any honor and glory from our own creation and redemption, so do we willingly also for our regeneration and sanctification; for by ourselves we are not capable of thinking one good thought, but he who has begun the work in us alone continues us in it, to the praise and glory of his undeserved grace. (Scots 15b)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)


Thoughts: Knox was very conscious that we cannot pull ourselves up to heaven, nor do we deserve to go to heaven just because we are born.  The Spirit awakens us as an alarm clock wakens a sleeper- or as Christ raised Lazarus from the dead.  The King James Version says "the washing of regeneration."  When the Spirit of God regenerates us- He also washes away our sin.  It is not because we are good that we are awakened. We have no power to make ourselves live- we are dead in sin (Eph. 2:6).  But the Holy Spirit who starts the work of salvation in us- also is able and faithful to complete it.  

Prayer: Wake me up to you and to your love, O Holy Spirit.  

The Spirit Ignites Us and Keeps us Burning as a Light

And so, as we confess that God the Father created us when we were not, as his Son our Lord Jesus redeemed us when we were enemies to him, so also do we confess that the Holy Ghost does sanctify and regenerate us, without respect to any merit proceeding from us, be it before or after our regeneration. To put this even more plainly; as we willingly disclaim any honor and glory from our own creation and redemption, so do we willingly also for our regeneration and sanctification; for by ourselves we are not capable of thinking one good thought, but he who has begun the work in us alone continues us in it, to the praise and glory of his undeserved grace. (Scots Confession 11 b)

He who began a good work in you will be careful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 1:6)

Thoughts; God takes what is not and makes it into something.  He is the only one who can create out of nothing (ex nihilo).  Everyone else uses materials provided by God.  Jesus enables a way for us to have a relationship with God- where there was no way before.  The Spirit awakens us to God- when we were asleep to Him By ourselves we cannot wake up to God.  The Spirit is not only our alarm clock- He is the lifeguard who does mouth to mouth resuscitation and shocks our hearts. The Spirit who wakes us will sustain and sanctify us until we make it home.

Prayer: Spirit- work in me- ignite me that I may burn for you as a bright flame of hope and faith.

5/26/14 The Spirit of Regeneration

Our faith and its assurance do not proceed from flesh and blood, that is to say, from natural powers within us, but are the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; whom we confess to be God, equal with the Father and with his Son, who sanctifies us, and brings us into all truth by his own working, without whom we should remain forever enemies to God and ignorant of his Son, Christ Jesus. For by nature we are so dead, blind, and perverse, that neither can we feel when we are pricked, see the light when it shines, nor assent to the will of God when it is revealed, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus quicken that which is dead, remove the darkness from our minds, and bow our stubborn hearts to the obedience of his blessed will. (Scots Confession 12a)

5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:5,6)

Thoughts: We are dead in our sins (Eph. 2:6).  Dead people do not choose to see God on their own.  It is God's Spirit that quickens us- regenerates us- opens our eyes to God so that we are able to respond to His grace.  Knox reminds us that the same Spirit who enables us to respond is the Spirit who gives us assurance of our salvation.  The Sanctus Spiritus sanctifies us- makes us holy, and inspires us to be holy. The One who inspires Holy Scripture inspires holy living and holy assurance.  The Spirit is the energizer who empowers us to respond, and empowers us to know we have responded to God Himself.  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, shape me, melt me, mold me, fill me.