Remembering Who We Were

Remembering Who We Were

Titus 3:3-8

Foolish – How could Paul, who was very religious, say he was foolish – Psalms 14:1. Because he was his own god. He was serving himself. He had no understanding of the true God, or His ways.

Disobedient – to the commands of God, yet he was obedient to the commands of men.

Deceived – Paul thought he was right, but all his righteousness he counted as dung.

Serving divers lusts and pleasures – Paul was doing what he wanted to do. He was building up his own self.

Living in malice and envy – malice is ill will – especially those of the household of faith. Envy is corruption from within.

Hateful and hating one another – detesting others – whether right or wrong – whether for us or against us.

Washing of regeneration – washing is bathing, which speaks of a complete cleansing.

Renewal – a complete change for the better. The word “renewal” does not mean we are “remodeled”. See Genesis 1:28 the word “replenish”, which means to fill or to be full. Dictionaries today define replenish as “to fill or make complete again, or add a new stock or a new supply to”. This is just one word of many whose definition has changed. The renewal of the Holy Spirit is the complete filling of the Holy Spirit, which controls all the spiritual parts of the saved person.

Regeneration

Only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a “new birth”. The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring.

1. In Matthew 19:28 the word is equivalent to the “restitution of all things” Acts 3:21

2. In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of

As a passing from death to life. I John 3:14 states, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
Becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Being born again. John 3:5 states, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
A renewal of the mind. Romans 12:2 states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
A resurrection from the dead. Ephesians 2:6 states, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
A being quickened. Eph 2:1,5 states, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God.
1. John 1:12,13 states, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
2. I John 2:29 states, “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
3. I John 5:1-4 states, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
As to the nature of the change, it consists in the implanting of a new principle or disposition in the soul; the impartation of spiritual life to those who are by nature “dead in trespasses and sins.”
The necessity of such a change is emphatically affirmed in Scripture.
1. John 3:3 states, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. Romans 7:18 states, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
3. Romans 8:7-9 states, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
4. I Corinthians 2:14 states, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
5. Ephesians 2:1 states, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
6. Ephesians 4:21-24 states, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”