"By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4:13)
Beloved, What scripture teaches about the regeneration of the Holy Spirit is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and abused doctrines in our world today. With so many differing opinions as to the “Work of the Spirit,” “The fruit of the Spirit” or “The evidence of the Spirit,” it is easy to be confused as to why this is so? It is easy to wonder why there seems to be so much misunderstanding about what the Bible really says concerning the 3rd person of the Godhead? To honestly answer this question it is of first importance to remember that without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, a renewed and genuine relationship with God simply is not possible. Why this truth needs to be hammered home, especially in our current culture, is largely due to a philosophy that places a heavy emphasis on the experience one has. What I mean is that our world today claims rather loudly and vehemently that unless something can be experienced with tangible proofs, it is not real. By the way, this is simply the logical conclusion of the Modern Era that gave birth to great advances in mathematics as well as pure and social science but did so on the back of “The Human Experience.” It is this philosophical mindset that has deceived so many people into thinking that their relationship with God is bound up in, or at least demonstrated by, something that can be witnessed tangibly. This outward proof of one’s experience usually comes in varying degrees of emotion that can include anything from extreme remorse (this is not the same as repentance) displayed in uncontrolled weeping to more sophisticated and complex expressions usually labeled as “gifts.” Whatever the preferred method, they are all intended to achieve the same end result; to tangibly demonstrate the person’s experience of God in such a way that those who witness the event will be convinced that it was real. This is not at all what the majority of scripture has in view when it speaks of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What does seem to be in view is a radically changed life that occurs from the inside out and not from the outside in. What I mean is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings about a radical change in who a person is which is in turn evidenced by a complete and total shift in thoughts, attitudes and yes, eventually deeds. When a person abides in God as the verse above claims, that person has been given not just a gift or a fruit or some other working of the Spirit but the Spirit Himself that effects a total change of the person’s “DNA.” Everything about that person is different; not just what they do but who they are. Furthermore, this change is not dependent upon anyone else witnessing it. In other words, if no one else experienced that a change had actually occurred, it would not negate in any way the fact that the Holy Spirit had in fact brought about the regeneration of that person. Will someone who has been indwelled by the Holy Spirit give proof of that indwelling? Absolutely, but the proof is more about the change of the heart and not the work of the body. However; having said this, the body will follow the heart and so the deeds of the body, that go against the regeneration that has occurred in the heart will not last for long; including the need to demonstrate to others tangible evidence of salvation. The work of the Holy Spirit and the abiding relationship with God that results has never been intended to highlight anything but the glory of God. Any tangible evidence that operates contrary to this notion is not of God no matter how convincing it may be.
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