Ownership

What is the work of renewal the Holy Spirit does in believers?
   A helpful analogy can be drawn between what happens to believers in Jesus Christ in the spiritual realm and the realm of a British monarch who obtains a piece of property.  Once an English king or queen takes possession of the property, one of the very first actions taken is placing the crown’s insignia in a place that others will be able to see and know who owns the property.  After that, the work begins bringing the buildings and grounds up to the qualities worthy of royalty.
   Life by the Holy Spirit works in a very similar way.  At the time a person receives Jesus as Savior and Leader of his or her life, there is an insignia…more accurately…the seal of Jesus’ ownership put on the person.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)  The Holy Spirit’s sealing of the believer makes clear for all eternity that the King of Kings, the ruler over all creation, owns the believer!
   The analogy, however, breaks down after Jesus takes possession of the believer.  While common workers of the lower class do the work of renovating a monarch’s property to royal standards, it is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself who brings renewal to the believer.  Because the Holy Spirit is God, His work of transformation will ultimately raise the believer’s level of spiritual qualities to that of Jesus Christ.
   How great is that?!  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
    How can a believer know for sure that the Holy Spirit is doing the work of renewal as Jesus promised?
    More to come!