The concept of renewal is found throughout the Bible. God desires to renew and restore us through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Here is an overview of some of the key things the Bible teaches about renewal:
Renewal through salvation in Christ
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, we experience renewal on a fundamental level. The old passes away and the new comes (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are made new creations in Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we receive eternal life. This spiritual renewal and regeneration is only possible through faith in Jesus (Titus 3:5).
The Holy Spirit indwells believers and begins the lifelong process of renewal as we become more Christlike. As we submit to God’s transforming work in our lives, our minds are renewed and we can begin to understand God’s will for us (Romans 12:2). Our inward being is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16) as we cooperate with the Spirit’s leading.
Renewal through God’s Word
Reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture is a key means of renewal. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). As we immerse ourselves in God’s truth, our minds are renewed and our lives gradually changed. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to convict, instruct and encourage us. Scriptural renewal leads to spiritual growth and strength. “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9). Meeting regularly with other believers for Bible study and teaching is also important for renewal.
Renewal through prayer
Consistently communicating with God in prayer is another key to renewal. As we bring our cares, concerns and struggles to the Lord, He renews our strength and perspective. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). Pouring out our hearts to God and presenting our requests to Him will bring renewal to our spirits.
God also renews us through times of extended, persistent prayer. Breakthroughs often come as we devote ourselves to focused prayer. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). Seasons of prayer and fasting also facilitate deep spiritual renewal.
Renewal through life in the Spirit
Living in step with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis contributes greatly to ongoing renewal. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Sin and unconfessed wrongdoing hinders the renewal process. As we walk in the Spirit and obey His promptings, renewal proceeds unhindered.
The fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit equip and transform us. As we live in the overflow of the Spirit, utilizing His gifts for ministry, we will experience renewal in exciting new dimensions. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These virtues blossom through reliance on the Spirit.
Renewal through worship
Heartfelt worship of God facilitates renewal in our inner being. We were created to glorify God and find purpose in exalting Him. As we express our love and gratitude to God through worship, we are refreshed and strengthened. Lifting our eyes from the daily grind to the majesty of God renews proper perspective.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” (Psalm 95:1-2). Making worship an ongoing lifestyle is key to walking in renewal. The pillars of renewal are salvation in Christ, God’s Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and worship.
Examples of renewal in Scripture
Throughout Scripture, we see many examples of God renewing people’s lives in powerful ways. Here are a few:
- Moses – After 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep, God renewed Moses’ purpose and calling to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3).
- David – Though chosen as a boy to be king, David went through many trials before ascending to the throne. God continually renewed his strength and vision during this time (1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 51:10-12).
- Elijah – Following his epic showdown with the prophets of Baal, Elijah became depressed and fled into the desert asking God to take his life. God renewed Elijah through rest, food, and speaking at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19).
- Job – After losing everything, including his health, Job wrestled to understand his sufferings. God met with Job, rebuked his assumptions, and renewed Job’s trust and understanding (Job 38-42).
- Peter – Peter denied knowing Christ three times but was restored and renewed by Jesus for further ministry after the resurrection (John 21:15-19).
- Ephesian church – Jesus praised the Ephesian church for their perseverance but called them to renewal by returning to their first love for Him (Revelation 2:1-7).
As these examples illustrate, renewal often follows times of crisis, confusion, failure, or drifting from God. We all go through seasons requiring spiritual renewal and refreshment.
God uses trials to renew us
Difficulties, trials and suffering provide opportunities for renewal. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). God uses trying circumstances to refine and renew our faith and dependence on Him.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Our faith muscles grow strong through trials as we rely wholly on God. Then we emerge renewed and better equipped to handle future challenges.
Renewal requires intentionally cooperating with God
Lasting spiritual renewal does not happen passively. We must intentionally cooperate with God’s transforming work in our lives through spiritual disciplines and chosen responses. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).
Renewal requires commitment to obey God, reject worldly attitudes and philosophies contrary to biblical truth, and embrace disciplined habits that position us to be refreshed by the Spirit. We must yield control of our lives completely over to God if we want true renewal.
Characteristics of a renewed life in Christ
Here are some key characteristics that will emerge as we cooperate with God’s renewal process:
- Love – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
- Joy – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
- Peace – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
- Patience – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
- Kindness – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
- Goodness – “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5).
- Faithfulness – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
- Gentleness – “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5).
- Self-control – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
- Hope – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
As we walk closely with God, these virtues will increasingly define our character through the Spirit’s renewing work.
Renewal leads to bearing spiritual fruit
The process of renewal leads to spiritual fruitfulness. As we are conformed to Christ’s image, we will naturally produce good works and attract others to the Savior. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25). Renewal empowers us to serve God wholeheartedly and make a lasting impact for His Kingdom.
Renewal is needed throughout the Christian life
Ongoing renewal is essential all through our spiritual journey, not just at conversion or during major crossroads. We must continually be renewed in God’s strength and dependent on His grace. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31).
The early enthusiasm of many believers gradually fades over time as routine replaces zeal and worldliness crowds out spiritual passion. We all go through peaks and valleys, mountaintops and deserts. Seasons of dryness make renewal indispensable. King David, though described as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), frequently had to pray for renewed spiritual vitality (Psalm 51:10). Our need for divine renewal remains ongoing until we reach our eternal home.
God is always ready to renew those who come to Him
No matter how badly we have failed, how backslidden we may feel, or how long we have been stuck in a spiritual wasteland, God stands ready and willing to renew us when we come to Him with humility and contrition. “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty” (Malachi 3:7). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Prodigal believers who have wandered far from the Lord can always return and find renewal through God’s grace. Consider the powerful story Jesus told of the prodigal son who squandered his inheritance through foolish living. When he finally “came to his senses” and returned home, the father welcomed him joyfully and restored him completely (Luke 15:11-24). We serve a merciful and gracious God who is eager to renew us if we turn back to Him.
Renewal through God’s restoration promises
All throughout Scripture, in both Old and New Testaments, God promises abundant restoration and renewal for those who turn to Him. Here are a few examples of key passages offering hope and renewal:
- “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17).
- “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1).
- “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!” (Psalm 85:4).
- “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).
- “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
- “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25).
- “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).
God promises to make us new, heal us, restore us, strengthen us, and breathe new life into dry and desolate places as we trust in Him. He delights in turning what was broken into something beautiful once again.
Longings for eternal renewal free from sin’s effects
While spiritual renewal is available in this life, ultimately believers long for the total renewal to come in eternity. When Christ returns, He will usher in the new heaven and new earth where all creation will be liberated and renewed. “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
We groan inwardly as we eagerly wait to be clothed with transformed resurrection bodies free forever from sin’s curse and effects. “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Conclusion
The Bible is filled with the theme of renewal from beginning to end. God is in the business of making all things new. He desires to renew every believer into the image of Jesus Christ through the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. As we walk closely with God through spiritual disciplines and surrender our lives to Him, we will experience the blessing of renewal and restoration.
No matter how weary, wounded or lost we may feel, our loving Heavenly Father stands ready to pour out His strength, healing and refreshment as we turn to Him. He specializes in bringing revitalized life out of barrenness. May we passionately pursue renewal through Christ our Redeemer until He makes all things new for eternity.
