Grace Gospel 101 (Part 7 of 7): Our Blessings
Start with Part 1 of the series here.
Romans 5:1 begins, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have..." and then proceeds to speak of the blessings that we have as believers. These are blessings given to every person who has been justified by faith. In previous lessons we have already seen that we have peace with God, a standing in grace, a hope of glory, and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. As wonderful as this is, there is even more! In this lesson we will learn more about the marvellous blessings that we have in Christ.
Regeneration
Titus 3:3 describes each one of us before we were justified by faith: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." Certainly not a very pretty picture! We were enemies of God and were spiritually dead. However, that is not the end of the matter! "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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 which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:4-6). This passage tells us about another spiritual blessing we have. We have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The word "regeneration" means, to be produced anew. The Holy Spirit has quickened us in our spirit. We are no longer "dead in trespasses and sins," but have spiritual life within us.