-October 3, 2020-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
-Praising God For The New Birth Through Jesus Christ-
“Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
(1 Peter 1:3).
The doctrine of the New Birth, also called the doctrine of Regeneration, is so beautiful and wonderful for the child of God. We who were once born in sin and conceived in iniquity, are now born again, born from above, and born into the family of God. It is total transformation. We went from being children of wrath to children of God; from children of darkness to children of light; from those who were dead in our sins to those who are alive from the dead and are seated at the right hand of God in Christ.
Imagine how hard it was for Nicodemus to understand the New Birth. Jesus told him in John 3:3, “…Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus responded, “…How can one be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born” (John 3:4)? He just wasn’t getting it. He was thinking in human terms, but Jesus was speaking in spiritual terms.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5-7, “…Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again.” The Holy Spirit brings about our regeneration through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is all according to God’s abundant mercy.
We shouldn’t be too hard on Nicodemus for not understanding this new teaching. To fully understand regeneration one must be regenerated and be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We must be born again. The Spirit teaches us all things.
There was a mention of regeneration in Joel’s prophecy in Joel 3:28-29, it says, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” This was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.
There is nothing greater than being born again, born from above, and born into God’s family. We should never cease thanking and praising Him what He has done for us. We sing that song on Wednesday nights, “Born again, there’s really been a change in me, born again just like Jesus said. Born again and all because of Calvary, I’m glad, so glad that I’ve been born again.” J.B. Nicholson said, “Those who are born once, will die twice; but those who are born twice will die at most once.” We as believers are born once in Adam in sin, and the second time, in Christ in righteousness. We have two birthdays: one physical and one spiritual. The second death has no power over us and we will never experience it.
Have a blessed day walking in the Spirit with joy as a born again Christian. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 