Regeneration

Titus 3:3-7
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

How did you feel about being born?

Joyful?

Afraid?

Confused?

How then must the new Christian feel when they have been born of the Spirit?

Don’t think it happens?

John 3:3
Jesus answered [Nicodemus], "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Do you remember this time in your walk? Is it ok if you do not?

I don’t.

I know from my mother that it happened when I was still young in the flesh.

I also know by the fact that I have matured spiritually, and this is not possible without an initial birth.

But who grants us this birthing?

If an act by a man and woman yields physical birth than what is it that results in the spiritual birth of someone?

Is it truly an act of God? Or is there something we can do to birth ourselves in the spirit?

Or should I phrase it this way…

Can a dead man make himself alive again?

Eph 2:1
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--

The Bible is very clear that we were made alive in Christ while we were still dead. No man can do this on his own, no matter how hard he tries. It truly takes the work of a Saviour.

Now that the thanksgiving and Christmas season is over how long will it be before you stop again to thank the God who not only created you, but birthed you in the Spirit?

Or, if you are not a Christian, how long will it be before you lean into your Maker and realize how deep of a need you have for a Saviour?

I challenge you not to wait until next November to thank the Lord for what He has done in you, and continues to do to this very day.

“By grace you have been saved”

Thank you Jesus.