~ Do You Understand Regeneration? ~
Regeneration
is foreshadowed in the Old Covenant (for example Deuteronomy 30:6 and Isaiah
57:15). Regeneration is a clear doctrine of the New Testament (for example 2
Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1; 1 John 4:7).
Regeneration
is about a new life from God—specifically the spiritual change brought about
through the action of the Holy Spirit. It is a gift of God and is involved in
the inner working of the soul resulting in a new life. It is very much about
resurrection in regard to the change from spiritual death to spiritual life.
Consider seven aspects of regeneration below.
Its Necessity (a
new nature is required) ~ “That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do
not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John
3:6-7). “For
in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a
new creation” (Galatians 6:15). “And you He made alive, who were dead in
trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now
works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Its
Nature (a totally new creation) ~ “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one
is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’” (John
3:5). “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). “And be renewed in
the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the
new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”
(Ephesians 4:23-24).
Its
Agent (the Spirit of God) ~ “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” (John 3:8). “It is the Spirit who
gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are
spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). “Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). “The Spirit gives
life” (2 Corinthians 3:6b).
Its
Instrument (the Word of God) ~ “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever” (1
Peter 1:23). “Of
His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind
of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). “Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and
shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).
Its
Means (faith in Jesus Christ) ~ “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him” (1
John 5:1). “For
you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). “But as many as received
Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe
in His name” (John 1:12).
Its
Fruits (a changed life) ~ “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed
remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1
John 3:9). “But
now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have
your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22). “In this the children of God
and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice
righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother” (1 John
3:10).
Its
Manifestation (God’s love and the keeping of His
commandments) ~ “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By
this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments” (1 John 5:1-2). “By this we know love,
because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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