0383. REGENERATION.
REGENERATION.
Joh_3:3, Joh_3:6, Joh_3:7.
It is John, the apostle of love, who speaks most directly on the doctrine of the "new birth." It is referred to seven times in his first epistle. To be regenerated is to be "born from above" (margin), "born of God" (Joh_1:13). For the sake of clearness, think of-
I. What this Change is Not. It is not-
1. A Natural Birth. "Ye must be born again-born from above." That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
2. A System of Doctrine. Nicodemus knew that Jesus was a teacher come from God, and was acquainted with much of His teaching, yet Jesus said to him, "Ye must be born again."
3. Outward Reformation. No adorning of the external character can change the heart, and make a man a new creation. It may be possible to keep the hands of a clock right at times, but that does not make it right when the main spring is wrong.
4. Making a Profession". Merely professing to be saved does not save. A sow in a sheepskin does not make the sow any better. Not he that saith, but he that doeth the will of the Father.
II. What this Change Really Is. It is-
1. A Divine Change. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. To be "born from above" implies the forth-putting of the creative power of God. If God is to be our Father, then we must be born of God.
2. A Complete Change. If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. The winter of darkness and death is gone, and the time of singing the new song has come. The transformation of character is still as radical as it was in the case of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).
3. A Conscious Change. No one can be brought out of such a horrible pit of ignorance and sin without being sweetly sensible of it (Psa_40:1-3). "One thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see." We know that we have passed from death unto life.
III. Why this Change is Needed.
1. The Character of Man Demands it. "Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Man’s way is to educate and legislate, but God’s way is to regenerate. There is no other remedy for that carnal mind which is enmity against God.
2. The Character of God Demands it. How can two walk together except they be agreed? God is holy, so without holiness no man shall see the Lord. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
3. The Work of Christ Demands it. He came and suffered and died that we might have life through His Name. The voice of His Blood cries for a thorough change in man before he can come with acceptance to the Father (Joh_14:6).
4. The Work of the Spirit Demands it. It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profiteth nothing. If it were possible for an unrenewed soul to enter Heaven it would be an eternal insult to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
5. The Word of God Demands it (Luk_24:3). This Word, which is settled in Heaven, cannot be broken. "The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and life." Incorruptible.
IV. How this Change is Effected.
1. The Agent is the Spirit. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord. "He is the Holy Breath that breathes upon the slain, that they may live (Eze_37:9).
2. The Instrument is the Word. "Born again by the Word of God" (1Pe_1:23). It is not man’s thoughts that the Holy Spirit uses in regenerating any soul, but God’s.
3. The Condition is Faith. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1Jn_5:1), "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This is our Lord’s own answer to the great question of Nicodemus, "How can a man be born when he is old?" (Joh_3:14-16).
Autor: James Smith