Repent, Reconcile, Renew: Renewal

Repentance, reconciliation and renewal are three important elements in the Christian life. God’s kindness draws us to Him, leading us to repent. Through repentance we become reconciled to God by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Once we are reconciled, the Holy Spirit works in us to renew our minds by the process of sanctification.

All three of these processes involve change. In repentance we change our minds about sin. Rather than being a source of pleasure and liberation, we understand it is the cause of alienation from God and eternal punishment. In being reconciled to God we experience a change in our relationship with God. We change from being His enemies to being His children. As the Holy Spirit renews our hearts and minds, we change from being selfish to embracing lives of obedience and service.

The linkage between our salvation and renewal is explained in Titus 3:4-6, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly.”

When we are saved (reconciled to God) the Holy Spirit indwells us opening our minds to understand the Bible. By understanding the Bible we learn how to live lives of obedience and service. Paul taught believers to “put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10).

Our new self is instructed by the knowledge gained from studying the Bible. “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for conviction, for correction and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15). As we apply the lessons of scripture and obey its commands, we become more like our heavenly Father and our Savior – Jesus.

Again Paul taught, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God

in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Paul warned believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” so they would understand “what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). While the world demands Christians compromise Biblical standards to conform with cultural norms, God’s love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Jesus prayed for us, “sanctify them in your truth, Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Renewal is sanctification. Our old self died and we have put on our new self – we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our new self is educated by scripture and lives a life of obedience and service to God.

Renewal is the sanctification “without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).