The necessity, source, effects, and end of regeneration!

The necessity, source, effects, and end of regeneration!

Charles Spurgeon, et al. 
John 3:3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God!”

Regeneration (or the New Birth) is the sovereign act of God, performed by the Holy Spirit through the Word, bringing a Hell-deserving sinner from spiritual death, to life in Christ.

1. The NECESSITY of regeneration.
 
Every man and woman enters this world not as a blank slate, but as a fallen creature–“dead in trespasses and sins”. (Ephesians 2:1). Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! (Jeremiah 17:9). By nature, we are enemies of God (Romans 8:7), children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), and slaves to sin and Satan (John 8:34). In our natural state, we have no spiritual life, no spark of goodness, no inclination toward God. Our will is bound by sin, our affections are corrupt, and our understanding is darkened! (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Since this is the spiritual condition of every person, then nothing short of a new birth can save us. The words of Jesus to Nicodemus are  absolute–unless one is born again, he cannot even see the kingdom of God. Neither reformation, education, morality, or religion; can produce spiritual life from spiritual death. The heart of man is a little Hell; full of sin, and only fit for the eternal fire. We are all born with a bias toward evil, and leave the womb as heirs of wrath!

“Do not be amazed that I told you, that you MUST be born again!” (John 3:7) To be born again is not a luxury, it is a necessity. There is no other way to Heaven. Without the new birth, you can never enter the kingdom of God.

2. The SOURCE of regeneration.
 
Regeneration is not man’s work, but the Spirit’s work from beginning to end. Man can no more create a new heart in himself, than he could create the world! It is the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, applying the saving work of Jesus to the heart. The Spirit quickens whom He wills, through the preaching of the Word, according to the Father’s eternal decree, and the Son’s redeeming grace (Titus 3:5).
  

3. The EFFECTS of regeneration.
 
When the Spirit regenerates, He gives a new heart. The man now loves what he once hated–Jesus, holiness, and truth; and hates what he once loved–the world, the flesh, and the devil’s delights. In regeneration, the man becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17); his affections are transformed, his desires are sanctified, and his life is increasingly conformed to the Lord Jesus.
  

4. The eternal END of regeneration.

The life begun by regeneration on earth, is consummated in the glories of Heaven. The believer, once a child of wrath, is now an heir of God and a co-heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17). The end of regeneration, is eternal communion with Jesus, and the enjoyment of His presence forever! (Revelation 22:4–5).

Christian, marvel at the sovereign mercy of God–that when you were dead in sin, He made you alive in Jesus! (Ephesians 2:5). Let this truth  humble you, sanctify you, and move you to worship Him who has rescued you from the dominion of darkness, and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom you have redemption, and the forgiveness of sins! (Colossians 1:13–14)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be BORN AGAIN to a living hope!” 1 Peter 1:3