He conquers the stoutest hearts
and cleanses the foulest spiritual leper. by Claude D. Cole Titus chapter 3 verse 5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to his mercy by the washing of
regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
is the administrator of God's grace. Without the gracious operation
of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, no sinner would ever become a
beneficiary of saving grace. The Blessed Spirit quickens all
whom the Father chose in eternity past, leads to Jesus all the
sheep for whom the dear shepherd laid down his life, conquers
the stoutest hearts and cleanses the foulest spiritual leper,
opens sin-blinded eyes and unstops sin-closed ears. Redemption was
effectually accomplished for God's elect by Christ's death
at Calvary, and it is effectually applied to all the redeemed by
the Holy Spirit in effectual calling. The Spirit applies Christ's
work of redemption in calling, convicting, regenerating, sanctifying
and preserving all for whom Christ died. Everyone whom God chose
in Christ is effectually drawn by the Spirit to Christ. Everyone
predestined to be saved is called by the Spirit in time, justified
by faith in time, and will be glorified in eternity, when time
will be no more.