The Holy Spirit Helps Save Us

There are several places in the N.T. that show us the Holy Spirit’s drawing us to salvation. John 3 is one such example.

This is the narrative of the conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was in the Sanhedrin, which was a ruling body of Jews consisting of scribes, elders and other priestly leaders. The Sanhedrin had the right and authority to excommunicate Jews from the synagogue when they violated Jewish law and could conduct trials with any others who were false prophets or rebels.

The Pharisees did not always speak kindly of by Jesus. Jesus frequently condemned them for their external religion. Pharisees were caught up in works righteousness; they were hyper-legalists.

Now, Nicodemus was one of the most important men in the entire country, and Jesus saw a golden opportunity to influence an inwardly lost man who was outwardly religious.

We read, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again^’ he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ (John 3:3-4).

The confusion is understandable. How can one re-enter his mom’s “womb?”

Here is Jesus’ answer to the question and the reference of the Holy Spirit’s role in drawing us to Christ. ^“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit’” (John 3:5-8).

Paul writes in Titus 3:4-7, “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.”

This is the instantaneous, non-experiential act of the Holy Spirit whereby He imparts spiritual life to the believer at the moment of faith. It is the Spirit that births salvation – not us. We may exercise faith leading to salvation, but the Holy Spirit is the one who takes us from the kingdom of darkness and puts us into the kingdom of light.

We wrongly conclude salvation is a work only of the Father or Son, but the Spirit has a significant role. You could say, “The Father chooses or elects or designs salvation; Jesus made it possible through the cross; the Spirit energizes it for those who believe.”