He saved us…by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
What does regeneration mean? We get a clue from the only other place where this word is used in the Bible—Matthew 19:28.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the new heaven and the new earth, and he says, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you also will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28, NASB).
Our Lord is talking about the day when this suffering, pain-filled, fallen planet will be transformed. This old tired world, so afflicted with the effects of Adam’s sin, will one day be changed so that it reflects the glory of Christ’s redemption. The whole creation will be liberated from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21).
Notice the word that Jesus used to describe this transformation. He called it “the regeneration.” So, regeneration is something wonderful that involves taking something—in this case, the planet—that has been devastated by the fall and making it new so that it reflects the glory of God.
The Bible uses the same word, regeneration, and it says this is what God has done in you, if you are in Christ. What God will one day do for this planet, he’s already done in you! The earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea, and so will you if you are in Christ!
Are you living each day as a person who has been regenerated? Why or why not?