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
I love the warm, fuzzy feeling that I get from watching Extreme Home Makeover, I love seeing how lives are changed for the better. I literally cry from beginning to end. There is a renewing that takes place during the show; not only a new home, but lives are changed; a total regeneration, which means a return from a state of decline to a revitalized state… literally transformed from the inside, out. On the show, the home and the people who live in them need repair and mending, more often than not, they both are in need of a total renovation. Usually, it is a tearing down to the foundation or the foundation is in need of a complete re-lay. The foundation is the vital part of the initial process for building or rebuilding both naturally and spiritually. Last night’s episode was no different, young girls, which were torn and broken and in need of renovation; for them it was new start on a new foundation.
The Greek verb, “ananeoo”, means to renovate or to make new again; or bringing back to a better state. If we think about our lives, we can see where we were in a horrid state (read Chapter 3 for clarity), before God did a work in us. We were so many things and had the need to be brought to a better state. God knew that we needed regeneration, a renewing of our mind, our body, and of our soul. He did this, not because of anything that we’ve done so right and certainly our works of righteousness could help us with this. He did it strictly by His mercy and it was simply by His grace that we were able to be saved, washed, refreshed, mended, repaired; in a word, restored. When the renewing occurs and the divine renovation has takes place, the new creature is transformed (2 Cor 5:17).
Let’s look at how the natural analogy also parallels the spiritual in the process of metamorphosis, where a physical and an emotional change take place. After the process is complete, there emerges a change in appearance, character, and condition; new life, a new birth, a renewal. Spiritually, this can only happen through the power of the spirit of God and this is the only way the renewing process can be performed; the only way to the renewing of our hearts and the renewing of our minds. Naturally, when man is responsible for the rebuilding of a new structure, a new transformation and renovation; a new life is also given, a new birth and a renewal because it uplifts the spirit of the lives that are touched. The Lord is so awesome in this way and He shows Himself faithful in the care and the needs of His people.
When this transformation and renovation has taken place, we must remember that upkeep is involved, just like those who receive the new houses, all newly rebuilt and restored, and refurnished; there is going to be a need for some house cleaning and maintenance to keep things in order. The same goes for us today as well. We have to renew our mind daily (Rom 12:1-2), when we make this a habit, we become more like Jesus and less like the world.
Divine renovation … let God do a work on and in you today!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
Titus 3:5
I love the warm, fuzzy feeling that I get from watching Extreme Home Makeover, I love seeing how lives are changed for the better. I literally cry from beginning to end. There is a renewing that takes place during the show; not only a new home, but lives are changed; a total regeneration, which means a return from a state of decline to a revitalized state… literally transformed from the inside, out. On the show, the home and the people who live in them need repair and mending, more often than not, they both are in need of a total renovation. Usually, it is a tearing down to the foundation or the foundation is in need of a complete re-lay. The foundation is the vital part of the initial process for building or rebuilding both naturally and spiritually. Last night’s episode was no different, young girls, which were torn and broken and in need of renovation; for them it was new start on a new foundation.
The Greek verb, “ananeoo”, means to renovate or to make new again; or bringing back to a better state. If we think about our lives, we can see where we were in a horrid state (read Chapter 3 for clarity), before God did a work in us. We were so many things and had the need to be brought to a better state. God knew that we needed regeneration, a renewing of our mind, our body, and of our soul. He did this, not because of anything that we’ve done so right and certainly our works of righteousness could help us with this. He did it strictly by His mercy and it was simply by His grace that we were able to be saved, washed, refreshed, mended, repaired; in a word, restored. When the renewing occurs and the divine renovation has takes place, the new creature is transformed (2 Cor 5:17).
Let’s look at how the natural analogy also parallels the spiritual in the process of metamorphosis, where a physical and an emotional change take place. After the process is complete, there emerges a change in appearance, character, and condition; new life, a new birth, a renewal. Spiritually, this can only happen through the power of the spirit of God and this is the only way the renewing process can be performed; the only way to the renewing of our hearts and the renewing of our minds. Naturally, when man is responsible for the rebuilding of a new structure, a new transformation and renovation; a new life is also given, a new birth and a renewal because it uplifts the spirit of the lives that are touched. The Lord is so awesome in this way and He shows Himself faithful in the care and the needs of His people.
When this transformation and renovation has taken place, we must remember that upkeep is involved, just like those who receive the new houses, all newly rebuilt and restored, and refurnished; there is going to be a need for some house cleaning and maintenance to keep things in order. The same goes for us today as well. We have to renew our mind daily (Rom 12:1-2), when we make this a habit, we become more like Jesus and less like the world.
Divine renovation … let God do a work on and in you today!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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