326. JOH 3:3-8. OF REGENERATION

Joh_3:3-8. Of Regeneration

PART II

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," &c.’97Joh_3:3-8.

We have previously noticed the nature of regeneration, as consisting in an entire change and renewal of the heart. The change we described as complete, divine, and instantaneous, mysterious, and with which the body is connected and harmonizes. Let us consider,

II. The Means of Regeneration.

1. Now the efficient means is the Spirit of God.

Hence, it is called being born of the Spirit. "You hath he quickened," &c. It is the peculiar prerogative of God, by his Holy Spirit, to regenerate the heart. Then,

2. The instrumental means are the word of God.

See 1Pe_1:23; Jam_1:18. Hence, ministers of the gospel, by the use of the word of God, are said to raise up seed to Christ. Paul says of the Corinthians, "I have begotten you through the gospel." So also, Onesimus, whom he says he had begotten in his bonds. Now it is only by the reception of the word of God, that it can benefit our souls; and this is generally of the word preached, "For faith cometh by hearing," &c. Hence, God is the source, and the gospel the instrument of renewing the heart. Here we may see how it may be said, we are saved by God, by the word, and by faith. A man is drowning, a person who sees his condition throws him a rope, and he lays hold of it, and is delivered. Now, it is easy to see how the man, the rope, and the laying hold of the rope, saved him; one man who witnesses it, says, "I saw a man drowning, but a person saved him;" another says, "I saw a man drowning, but a rope saved him;" a third says, "I saw a man drowning, but he saved himself by laying hold of a rope." Apply this to God, the word, and faith. Notice,

III. The Evidences of Regeneration.

The apostle gives us a very general proof, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." The evidences are the very opposite of those which distinguish the sinner. Now, we might expatiate on each of the signs of the new creature, but we may choose the apostle’s words, just quoted as a text, and then we may show in what respects the man in Christ is a new creature. Now, we have four signs of regeneration laid down in the word of God.

1. Faith. 1Jn_5:1.

2. Nonconformity to the world, or rather victory over it.

1Jn_5:4. Formerly belonging to it; now delivered from it. Not of the world, as Christ was not of it. World under the feet, &c.

3. Righteousness of life.

See 1Jn_5:18, ver. 3, does not mean absolute purity and perfect obedience. "For if we say that we have no sin," &c. Christ has taught us to pray to God to forgive us daily, but there is a great difference in sin being our burden, and pleasure; in cherishing evil, and striving against it; in being its free and willing slave, and it being our grief, and greatest affliction; between sin reigning, and being in a dying state.

4. Love to God, and the brethren.

See 1Jn_4:7-20, 1Jn_5:1-3, 1Jn_5:10. Where these four signs exist, we have indubitable proof of regeneration. Then, let us consider,

IV. The Importance of Regeneration.

1. It is essential to the enjoyment of the favor of God.

God cannot approve of the image of the wicked one; he hates sin, and all its effects, &c. "God is angry," &c. "The face of the Lord is set against them that do wickedness," &c. "But saints are lovely in his sight." It is only when he sees reflected his own image, that he can smile upon it, and pronounce it very good.

2. It is essential to communion with God.

Light cannot have fellowship with darkness; sin with holiness. God is a spirit, and we must be born of the Spirit, before we can hold fellowship with God.

3. It is essential to our interests in the promises of the covenant.

Promises are given to children. Estate is for the children, &c. "If children, then heirs," &c.

4. It is essential to true membership with his church on earth.

Without it, we are illegitimate, not sons Not truly in the church; for all who are so, are born into it. May be outer-court worshippers, &c.

5. It is essential to our entrance into heaven.

Without it cannot enter. No title or meetness for it. Now, let us glance at ver. 5, and see if we can explain and illustrate it. It doubtless refers to baptism. Now Christ’s church on earth is both visible and invisible. We become members of the invisible, by being born of the Spirit. But this is only known to God and ourselves. We, therefore, become members of the visible church, by a visible act, and that is baptism; hence, for hundreds of years after Christ, the church never thought of a person being a member, until he had been baptized.

Application

Learn,

1. That genuine religion must be based on an entire change of heart. Heart of stone must be taken away, &c.

2. Let us cultivate the evidences of regeneration. Follow the Lord, as dear children.

3. Be anxious to grow in grace; to rise in the divine life, &c.; to aim at the stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus.

4. Impress upon the unconverted the absolute necessity of the change

Autor: JABEZ BURNS