Chip and Joanna Gaines do some amazing renovations. They have done well transforming homes from the inside out.
The Bible says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,” (Titus 3:5-6). The word “renewing” in the Greek means “renovation”. The work of Holy Spirit takes this shell of ours (body), brings to life our spirit, and completely renovates us from the inside out. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees (religious leaders) about cleanliness. He then explains further to Peter and the disciples, “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”” Matthew 15:17-20
Nothing you or I do can make us holy or righteous. Everything Jesus did living, dying, and living again accomplished that. When you put your faith in Christ His Holy Spirit renews and regenerates (renovates) you.
Take a moment and examine your heart? Do some of these things Jesus spoke of dominate your life? Turn away from those actions and turn to Jesus. Let Him do the renovation in you and those things start to be less appealing. No one can be holy or righteous on their own merits. Jesus was, and is, and is to come… it’s His righteous and holiness that stands in the gap and before the Father on our behalf. He was not only a physical carpenter (stone mason) but still is a spiritual carpenter (stone mason). Has He renovated your heart and life? If so, the transformation internally effects what we say and so externally.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.