Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.

                                                                                                                           Jonah 3:9 

The people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s message by believing in God. Their thinking was that perhaps God would relent of the destruction that was to come upon their city. We see this scenario played out all through the history recorded under the old covenant. But everything changed when God sent Jesus Christ to take our place and pay for the sins of mankind on the cross. This new covenant is now fully in effect and will endure until the return of Christ to the earth.

This is important because, unlike the people of Nineveh, Christians need not wonder whether or not God will relent from judgment caused by sin. The cross put an exclamation point on God’s willingness to pardon us on the basis of faith. Under the new covenant, everyone who places his/her faith in Christ is free from the condemnation that accompanies sin. Consider the following: 

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit… 

                                                                                                                       Titus 3:4-5 

Two aspects of God’s saving us are found in this passage. One is regeneration. This word can be defined as “the revival of something dormant.” It is pointing to the new birth of a person who is born again (John 3:3). This spiritual reality must take place in order for citizenship in heaven to exist. When we are regenerated, we become children of God and fellow heirs of His kingdom. The power of the Holy Spirit is ours to enjoy and fellowship with God and His Son Jesus becomes the focal point of our lives.

Secondly, along with regeneration, is renewal. This word can be defined as a renovation or “complete change for the better.” Just as an old house can be renovated and turned into a new place to live, so too our heart, mind, soul, and spirit can be renewed for the better. This renewal takes place because God now resides within the life of the believer. Unlike the message that went out to the entire city of Nineveh, this invitation is intimate and must be received as a personal decision. We see this reality described in the gospels as well. Consider the following: 

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

                                                                                                                 John 1:12-13 

The criteria for becoming a child of God is reserved for “as many as receive Jesus,” believing in Him. John goes on to explain, once again, that this occurs through regeneration. We have all been born into this physical world (born of blood, the will of the flesh, according to the will of man). But for spiritual life to exist within us, we must be born again (born of God). This distinction must be made as not everyone who lives and breathes in this world has spiritual life within. Only born again believers in Jesus can claim this spiritual renovation and renewal.

For Nineveh, the invitation was to turn to God in order to avoid calamity. Under the new covenant, the invitation is so much more than simply avoiding calamity. We have been invited to have a relationship with the Creator of the universe and with His Son Jesus Christ. God promises that for those who receive Him, He will come and reside within, equipping us to live powerful and victorious lives in Jesus. Collectively, all believers make up the church however the invitation to salvation is personal and must be received by the individual.

Have you been born again? Are you living with the renewing power of God’s Spirit within? Call on Him today and watch Him do amazing things in and with your life!