LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 15
Romans 8:5-13
2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“… that I might not
sin against thee.”

THE SPIRIT REGENERATING (III)

In some societies there has been a great proliferation of “born again” people. Prominent businessmen, politicians, entertainers, night club operators, film stars, pop and rock musicians, famous athletes all claim the “born again” label. Many years before the term would have caused embarrassment. Then it became rather fashionable. Richard Quebedeaux in his books (The Worldly Evangelicals and The Young Evangelicals) describes the American scene with candour. These “born again” people are little different from the rest. They drink, entertain, go to the movies and generally live like the world. The question is, “What sort of born again profession is this?”

The genuine “born again” experience is Holy Spirit regeneration. It is born “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). The new birth is not something a person chooses to do for himself, something physical, social, fashionable or worldly. It is a miracle of God’s power putting new life into one who is spiritually dead. It is by the “exceeding greatness of his power” which raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). If genuine, this “regeneration” leads to “newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

Newness of life means a new outlook, new desires, and a new life-style. With new eyesight, the born-again person sees things in a new light, in their true perspective. He begins to see things as God sees them. Things of the world diminish in worth while things of God – the invisible things – become of first importance. The heart is filled with a new appetite, new interests and desires: love for God, the things of God and the law of God. There is hatred for sin and the world. The way of life is changed. Evil habits and practices give way to holiness of life and separation from the world.

All this comes about by God. God the Holy Spirit must do His work in you and me. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (person): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor 5:17).

THOUGHT: Am I born again? Regenerated?
PRAYER: Lord, may Thy Spirit help me to live in newness of life.