Being Washed
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; Titus 3:5 (KJV)
Washing, or regeneration, speaks of being born-again, and receiving a new man in Christ- a new spirit- becoming a new creation (John 3, II Corinthians 5:17). The New Living Translation (NLT) says “new birth.”
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (NLT)
Symbolically, this is typified in water baptism, showing that our old spirit died, was buried, and we’re born-again and raised with a new spirit, a new man, a new spiritual birth. Thus, we identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and we are seated with Christ at His right hand.
The renewing of the Holy Spirit speaks of the Holy Spirit continually imparting the spiritual life of Christ in us. As we surrender to Christ daily by renewing our minds to His Word (Romans 12:2), offering our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), and praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20). By doing these, we receive a fresh washing daily. The Holy Spirit does a continual work of cleansing us; first when we are born-again and then as we walk with Christ.
When we are born-again, we are washed by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Revelation 1:5 (NKJV)
Then, I John speaks of a continuing cleansing of all sin by Jesus’ blood.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7 (NKJV)
This continual cleansing by the blood happens as we walk in the light of God’s Word: what has been revealed to us in God’s Word by the Holy Spirit.
And we are also cleansed by the washing of the water of God’s Word.
That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26-27 (NKJV)
As we are washed by God’s Word, we are cleansed from any “dirt” that accumulates on us as a result of our daily lives in the world. It’s a spiritual bath. The Word sets us apart from sin and to God. Being made clean, we are presented by Jesus to Himself with no spot, wrinkle, or any such thing. We are a chaste and pure virgin for Christ.
The word washing in Titus 3:5 in Greek refers to a continual cleansing. As we are washed daily by renewing our minds to the Word, offering our bodies to God, and praying in the Holy Ghost, we will be clean and ready for our Lord Jesus when He comes for His bride, the church.
