"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." (Titus 3:5)
We do not hear the word "regeneration" in our churches much anymore. But it speaks to the fact that when a person truly becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit "borns" them again.
I know that is not good English, and my spellcheck is having a fit on the computer right now. But it is good theology.
When we are born into this world, we are born with a sin nature that we inherited from Adam. We are born wrong. That is why Jesus told Nicodemus that no one would see the Kingdom of God without being 'born again". People throw that phrase around in reference to all kinds of things these days, but Jesus was talking about "regeneration". That the Holy Spirit would come to live in us when we trusted in Christ and transform our lives.
2 Cor. 5:17 promises that if anyone is truly in Christ they are changed. So when we look around at all of the people in churches today who have never been changed, it seems logical to conclude that they have not been regenerated by the Spirit of God. Too many people know the pastor, but have never met the Master. Many who have their names on the church rolls have never made sure that their names are on the Lord's roll.
I want to ask you to look at this scripture and ask God to speak to your heart. Have you been regenerated by the work of God's Spirit. It begins with an admission of sinfulness before a Holy God and then crying out to Him to save you. It requires full surrender to Him.
We do not hear the word "regeneration" in our churches much anymore. But it speaks to the fact that when a person truly becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit "borns" them again.
I know that is not good English, and my spellcheck is having a fit on the computer right now. But it is good theology.
When we are born into this world, we are born with a sin nature that we inherited from Adam. We are born wrong. That is why Jesus told Nicodemus that no one would see the Kingdom of God without being 'born again". People throw that phrase around in reference to all kinds of things these days, but Jesus was talking about "regeneration". That the Holy Spirit would come to live in us when we trusted in Christ and transform our lives.
2 Cor. 5:17 promises that if anyone is truly in Christ they are changed. So when we look around at all of the people in churches today who have never been changed, it seems logical to conclude that they have not been regenerated by the Spirit of God. Too many people know the pastor, but have never met the Master. Many who have their names on the church rolls have never made sure that their names are on the Lord's roll.
I want to ask you to look at this scripture and ask God to speak to your heart. Have you been regenerated by the work of God's Spirit. It begins with an admission of sinfulness before a Holy God and then crying out to Him to save you. It requires full surrender to Him.
