Holy Spirit and Holiness

¹ Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. ² They must not slander (speak evil of) anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. ³ Once we, too, were foolish (thoughtless) and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. ⁴ But—When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, ⁵ He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His (tender) mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth (regeneration) and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He generously (richly) poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of His grace, He declared us righteous (justified) and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Titus 3:1-8 (NLT)

In the book of Titus, Apostle Paul gives the church essential elements of the Gospel. The book of Titus has a practical yet instructive tone. In Titus, the Apostle Paul gives all believers outstanding teaching on the Gospel message of God’s grace (see Titus 1:1-4; Titus 2:11-14; Titus 3:4-7). Specifically, the Apostle Paul repeatedly urges believers of Jesus to maintain good works (see Titus 2:14; Titus 3:1, 8, 14).

The Holy Scriptures are clear that no one can achieve salvation by human effort or merit. Salvation only comes through God’s mercy and grace alone through faith in His Son Jesus as Lord and Savior (e.g., see Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:8-9). Titus 3:5 makes clear that good works do not earn anyone acceptance by God. Salvation comes by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus (see John 3:5-8). This washing is a spiritual cleansing! Nevertheless, a believer’s good works are a natural response from everyone who has experienced God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. Good works and love for one another are always marks of genuine believers (Titus 2:14; Titus 3:1, 8, 14; see also John 13:34-35).

The Apostle Paul makes clear that one purpose of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death was to make His people holy and purify us from sin, evil, and wickedness (e.g., see Titus 2:14; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 1:7). Similarly, the true and living God graciously redeemed and saved the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage and slavery for holy living (see Exodus 19:5-6). God has always tied His gracious redemption and salvation to our holy living. The true and living God is holy and pure (e.g., see Leviticus 11:44-45; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3), and He calls His faithful people to also actively seek and pursue holiness (e.g., see 1 John 1:5-2:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Hebrews 12:10-17; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Both the Old Testament and New Testament teach our holiness and purity pleases God and brings us closer to Him in fellowship and union (e.g. see Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Ephesians 4:17-5:14; 1 Peter 1:13-22).

Therefore, there is no room for claiming to be redeemed and saved while providing no evidence of practical transformation (see James 2:14-26). In fact, the Apostle Paul repeatedly taught that profession of faith in Jesus Christ be accompanied by godly living (e.g., see Titus 2:1-2, 4-5, 10-14; Titus 3:8). The same grace that saved us from sin and wrath also instructs faithful believers that our salvation should produce good works. God’s grace WILL ALWAYS produce an ethical and practical change in a believer’s life. Our good works and good fruit of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience is true Gospel living (e.g., see Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:12-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Our Gospel living brings God glory (see Matthew 5:3-16).

The good news is that God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) have sent believers God the Spirit as their Helper, Comforter, and Advocated to live holy and righteous (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26-27; John 16:7; Romans 5:5). One of the primary activities of the Holy Spirit is to cleanse God’s believers of their sins and transform the hearts, minds, and character of God’s people to be holy in conduct and character (see Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Holy Spirit is living water that renews, strengthens, and transforms believers into God likeness for His glory (e.g. see Psalm 1:1-3, 6; John 4:10; John 7:38-39; Ephesians 2:10). The Holy Spirit performs an initial cleansing work in all new believers at the point of salvation causing believers to make a decisive break from a life of sin and wickedness (see 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5). This cleansing, healing, and purifying work of the Holy Spirit is apparently what is symbolized by John the Baptist’s declaration that Jesus will baptize people “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (see Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).

The true and living God graciously gives His Holy Spirit as a gift to everyone through repentance of our sins and wholehearted faith in His Son, Jesus – who is Lord of all (e.g., see Acts 2:14-21; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:15-17). When anyone wholeheartedly turns from their sins (repent) and believes in God’s Son Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside a believer’s hearts – indwelling of the Holy Spirit (e.g., see Acts 2:33, 38-40; Acts 10:36; Romans 5:5; Galatians 4:6-7). Believers become the Temple of the Holy Spirit where the true and living God – Father, Son, and Spirit – dwells inwardly within (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 11, 17, 19-20; Ephesians 2:21-22). The Holy Spirit gives that believer a new life, holiness, and purpose (e.g., see John 3:5-8, 16-18; John 17:19; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

With repentance, obedience, and acceptance of Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit also produces in all believers’ growth in holiness of life – sanctification. The Holy Spirit brings about inwardly His good fruit and outward working of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23; see also John 15:5-8). As God’s Temple, these good fruits of the Holy Spirit reflect the character of God the Father and His Son Jesus (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 10:38; James 5:11). As we fellowship and study God’s Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit continually transforms and sanctifies God’s faithful people by His truth, which is the Word of God (see Psalm 1:1; John 17:17). This transformed and holy life leads to God’s blessings, peace, and happiness (see Matthew 5:3-11; Romans 8:37-40; 1 John 4:4). So, be of good cheer and joy (see John 16:33).

The Holy Spirit continually transforms faithful believers into the likeness of God from one degree of glory to another (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). Sanctification (holiness or purity) comes by the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit. By Holy Spirit’s help and power dwelling inside, faithful believers are able to “put to death the deeds of the body” and grow in holiness (e.g. see Romans 8:4, 13, 15-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Philippians 1:19). True salvation – repentance, obedience, and faith in Jesus – will always result in lasting good fruit that bear in people lives (e.g., see Psalm 1:3; Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Corinthians 14:12, 26).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001).

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994).