HOW DID MY NEW BIRTH HAPPEN?

HOW DID MY NEW BIRTH HAPPEN?

 Undoubtedly, spiritual regeneration is enacted by God, and by God alone.  In 1772, a former slave-trader by the name of John Newton penned the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  Its lyrics include a relevant line: “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.”  In other words, our present covenant connection with Christ is all about HIS work on the cross of Calvary and HIS gracious mercy that brings us face-to-face spiritually with Him.  Indeed, Jesus Christ declares that it is impossible for any person to come to the Father unless He draws them to Himself.

 R.C. Sproul frames this truth similarly in Tabletalk.  He writes, “A dead man cannot cooperate with his own resurrection.  Lazarus did not cooperate in his resurrection.  Regeneration is a sovereign act of God in which man plays no role.  After God brings us to life, of course, we certainly are involved in ‘cooperating’ with Him.  We are to believe, trust, obey, and work for him.  But unless God acts first, we would never be reborn in the first place.  It is not as if dead people have faith, and because of their faith God agrees to regenerate them.  Rather, it is because God has regenerated us and given us new life that we have now faith.”

 John and Charles Wesley called this “prevenient grace.”  It’s what God was up to in our lives long before we had any degree of acceptance or affection for Him.  Therefore, our salvation is ALL about HIM.  That’s why we are eternally grateful and absolutely devoted.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!