The Work of the Holy Spirit

In Jeremiah 31:33, it says, “this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the LORD’s declaration. ‘I will put my teaching [Torah] within them and write it on their hearts.’” The Holy Spirit is the agent of the New Covenant.

Titus 3:4–5a

"But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy."

Our salvation is not by righteous works, but through Jesus's blood. God was merciful in sending Jesus, but God’s mercy is carried out through regeneration by the Holy Spirit. It is through this regeneration by the Holy Spirit that we are saved. Salvation is God's work through an interplay between the 2nd and 3rd person of the Trinity.

Titus 3:5–7

"…he saved us…through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life."

When you are loyal to Jesus (justified, atoned), the Holy Spirit cleanses and changes you (is poured out on you) according to Christ’s work. The Holy Spirit comes upon you with power to wash away not just your sins, but to make you something that you were not before. The Holy Spirit directs us to walk in God's ways. The Holy Spirit has come upon us to save us, to change us, to give us hope. And therefore, Paul says we should be careful to do good. Now that we have been cleansed by the Holy Spirit, we are to walk in righteousness.

Titus 3:8

"This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone."