0913. The Master's Answer–Born by Faith in Christ

The Master's Answer–Born by Faith in Christ

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (Joh_3:18).

That the new birth is made real in the life that believes, is clearly established in Joh_1:12-13, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born * * of God."

We could not expect Christ to answer fully the question of the new birth, without placing special emphasis on believing in Him. Thus it is that in John 3, in His reply to Nicodemus, we have the following:

Joh_3:15 : "Whosoever believeth in Him."

Joh_3:16 : "Whosoever believeth in Him."

Joh_3:18 : "He that believeth on Him."

Three times Christ emphasized faith.

Let us not for one moment think that the word "believe" as used by our Saviour means nothing more than believing that there was a Christ. It is not, historically, believing that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin; that He was Deity; that He was crucified the Just for the unjust; that He was raised from the dead; that He ascended up on high; that He is coming again, that saves the sinner. The demons historically believe all of this, and tremble. The faith that saves is the faith of the heart: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

When a real faith is placed in Jesus Christ the Son of God, uplifted on the tree, as the sinner's substitute, then the new birth takes place.

It is not necessary to understand "regeneration;" it is necessary to believe into Christ. "He that cometh to God must believe" (Heb_11:6).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR