Category: Theology 101
The Work of the Holy Spirit (Cont'd)
The Produce of the Spirit
The Spirit brings about the new birth required for entrance into the kingdom of God; human effort ("the flesh") cannot produce this regeneration, only the Spirit can bring it to pass. The Spirit gives life (the flesh profits nothing), and He does so to whomever He desires, whenever He desires. Like the wind there is no discernible or predictable pattern to the Spirit's labors. The resulting effect of the Spirit's work is spiritual, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn. 3:5f. 6:35-69, especially v.63).
The Spirit writes the gospel on the hearts of believers (2 Cor. 3:3), and gives life through the New Covenant (in contrast with the death wrought by the Old Covenant, 2 Cor. 3:6). The New Covenant of the Spirit is more glorious than the Mosaic covenant because it is a ministry of life and righteousness, rather than of death and condemnation (2 Cor. 3:7f.).
The Spirit also gives gifts to the body of Christ to be used for the common good and edification (1 Cor. 12:4f).