8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus used the winds blowing in the streets of Jerusalem to illustrate how the Holy Spirit works in regeneration.
8 The wind blows where it wishes,
Jesus used the metaphor of “wind” for a power that is felt but unseen. The wind has uncertain origin and goes in an unpredictable path. We cannot govern the wind; it goes where it wishes. No one can control the sovereignty of God in salvation. Salvation is the work of the Spirit of God.
and you hear the sound of it,
It possible to hear the wind blow but not see it.
but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.
Like the wind with an unpredictable path, the Spirit works in our salvation in a way the human being cannot fully analyze. We cannot see His power working, but He nevertheless moves mightily on the person who believes in Him.
So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The Spirit’s power in salvation is unseen but there nevertheless. As the wind is invisible and we cannot know from where it comes and where it goes, so salvation by the Spirit is something that we cannot fully understand without being God Himself. None of us can know fully what the Holy Spirit does in saving our souls. There is an element of mystery to it.
PRINCIPLE:
Regeneration is a ministry of the Holy Spirit and not a human matter.
APPLICATION:
Fallen people cannot regenerate or birth themselves spiritually. The Holy Spirit works in an invisible way much like the wind is invisible. We experience being born again passively. We cannot make ourselves born; it is God who brings life to our soul.
The Holy Spirit is the One who does the planting of eternal life into our souls. As no one can direct the wind, so no one can save his own soul. The Spirit does as He pleases in saving our souls. A person cannot become born again except that the Holy Spirit breathes eternal life into him or her.
Brother Grant, do you believe the Holy Spirit spiritually regenerates God’s chosen people at the point that they respond or turn positive volition toward their effectual calling? The effectual calling being that of a Shepard to his flock.
Wade,
Regeneration is God’s generation of spiritual life within the person who believes that Jesus paid for his or her sin/s. Regeneration occurs at the point of belief, not prior. However, man cannot come to God on his own, he must be “drawn,” see my study on John 6:44. The Holy Spirit must take action on his soul by convicting or convincing the person to believe (Jn 16:8-11).
Thank you for your explanation. I have trouble understanding this topic sometimes. I understand that it is only Faith in Christ that can save, but where my confusion comes is this. I have often heard of “irresistible grace” which is what God shows those who He has “chosen” to be saved. My question is this. If God has to be the one to cause someone to believe, wouldn’t that mean that there are some created that He will never call? Did He create people that He would never show this irresistible grace? 1 Timothy 2:4 says that He desires all sinners to be saved. Wouldn’t this mean that all would be shown this irresistible grace? Just having a hard time understanding. Are some walking the earth with no hope to be regenerated? Does man have a choice to believe?
Jacob, although I am a Calvinist, I do not believe in the doctrine of “irresistible grace.” Read my article on the doctrine of concursus here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/concursus/gods-decree-and-free-will/