But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Jesus did this, and still does this today. One by one, individual by individual, people are ‘remade’ by Jesus washing and immersing them into the Holy Spirit and renewing them (born anew), and renovating them in their hearts and life, and they are made fresh and have new developments and deposits being made in them. Is this an instantaneous happening or a process? Yes. Both. It is multifaceted and when it comes to the spiritual side of things it is still somewhat of a mystery to us. But in time through the tutelage of the Holy Spirit His revelation to us begins to teach us about the ‘new’ person we are now in Him.
So much of Christian systematic religion takes this ‘event’ and leaves it there. To them …it’s done. While in the spiritual sense it is, but in the physical there is yet still so much to be done. It’s like in a marriage. There is the ‘day’ you are married, and then the rest of the entire time you are married after that ‘day’. Are you any less married after that day? No. But there is the ‘relationship’ that grows and changes over time. This is the same for the experience of the immersion of the Spirit into one’s life. You’ve got to learn Who your new partner is .. and how they navigate, and work.
The institutional Church has done a piss poor job of teaching about the relationship with the Holy Spirit. They usually just say “your married” and nothing else. Yet …Paul has all sorts of advice on this relationship with the Holy Spirit. His epistles to the different communities of The Way describe the different ways the Holy Spirit interacts with us. But still .. there isn’t much depth of understanding UNTIL you have life experience with the Holy Spirit working through you in many different scenarios. Just like in marriage. THEN those gifts of the Spirit Paul talks about become much more meaningful to the ‘experienced’ reader.
The modern American Church centers around the building and professional staff more than anything else. It certainly isn’t focused on the community and those in the seats. Otherwise they would be doing actual life right along beside them in the places of work and homes. Just like Jesus did with His disciples. But instead the spiritual leaders want everyone to come to them and pay them. *coughs- sounds like the Pharisees* It might seem harsh — but when is the last time your pastor ever came over to help you with your needs?
We ALL need daily interaction with the Holy Spirit. We need to be asking Him questions and leaning into His teaching and following His instructions. We all need real community and fellowship, not an entertainment ritual hour. So who is the Holy Spirit having you visit? Go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Yes — you can actually do that. Jesus just gave you that choice. Are you afraid of presenting Jesus to others? What does that say about your real faith? What excuses are now running through your mind.