Regeneration, like all other points of
doctrine of God, is deep and mysterious. No mortal man will ever be able
to tell all about this doctrine ; we can only be guided by God's
revealed word in writing of preaching on this point. The Holy Spirit
uses the terms "regeneration", "new creature," "being born again," "born
from on high." "passed from death unto life," to teach this most
important doctrine. John 3:3 reads, "Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God." Hence we learn the Saviour Himself preached this
doctrine. It is doctrine of the Bible that man must be born again, must
be regenerated before he can see the kingdom of God. The Saviour used
the word "born" here because it taught this doctrine.
Regeneration is performed by the power
of God. It is called a creation ; as the child did not perform
conditions in its natural birth, he does not in his spiritual birth. As
Adam was passive in his natural creation, so also is the sinner passive
in his spiritual begetting and birth. We received capacity to understand
natural things in our natural birth ; so also in our spiritual birth we
received capacity to understand spiritual things. Hence one must be born
of God before he can receive the gospel, for the gospel is a thing of
the Spirit. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God : for they are foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned."--1 Cor. 2:14.
Now, who teaches that regeneration is
unconditional and that it is performed by the Holy Spirit of God? I know
of no people on earth outside of the Old Baptists. We not only contend
that the Bible teaches the doctrine of regeneration, but that it teaches
that it is unconditional. I know this do trine combats all the Arminian
world on this point, but Jesus Himself said, "As the Father raiseth up
the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
The infant requires regeneration as well as the adult, and since it is
the work of God, salvation is sure to all the elect.
God begins the work in the soul,
"being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."--Phil. 1:6.
This text teaches us that regeneration is an internal work. Jesus says,
"That which is born of the spirit is spirit." That, as I under- stand
it, is the spirit of soul of the Adam sinner that is born of God in
regeneration. Again, "The Spirit is life because of righteousness," but
"The body is dead because of sin." God begins this good work by giving
eternal life to the poor sinners on spirit. The atoning blood of Jesus
is applied by the divine hand of God and the poor sinner's soul of
spirit is washed and sanctified, made pure and righteous, and will
nevermore be contaminated wit sin, for "Whatsoever he doeth, he doeth
forever." God's work will stand : "Whosoever is born of God doth not
commit sin." In regeneration a warfare sets up. The soul, being made
pure and spiritual, loves sin and hates the ways of holiness. Hence the
conflict begins and never ends until the soul is released at the death
of the body. Therefore the apostle says, "When I would do good evil is
present with me." Again, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh," "so that ye cannot do the things that ye
would."
This explains, dear child of God, why
serving the Lord is such a great cross. The very fact that you have two
minds is an evidence that you have been born of God. Some of the fruits
of the spirit are these: love, joy, peace, goodness, temperance, faith,
etc. The very fact that you love God is evidence that the good work has
begun, and if begun it will be carried on over the head or every
opposition.
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my
commandments." Dear little child, do you at times feel a spirit of
rejoicing? is your soul filled with heavenly joy? If so, it is because
you have been born again. Do you at times look upon things that are not
seen with the natural eye and feast and rejoice in them? Can you see a
beauty in the dear old church that the world cannot see? If so, you do
it by faith ; this is because you are born again and have the spirit of
God. Your cross will often seem heavy ; your sins will cause you many
bitter tears ; the flesh will often give you trouble. You will often be
reminded, as of old, that the "Cananites" are still "in the land." At
death your spirit will go to God who gave it, and in the glorious
morning of the resurrection your mortal body will be raised and made
spiritual. Then, and not until then, will salvation be complete with
you. The man in his entirety will be capacited to praise and worship God
forevermore in glory. No wonder we long for the coming of our precious
Lord to take us home!
Man in his entirety fell and man in
his entirety was redeemed by Christ, and man in his entirety will
finally be saved and live with Him in glory. This perfect work is based
on the perfect mediatorial work of Jesus for sinners. All for whom
Christ died will be quickened into divine life by God the Holy Spirit ;
and when we rise from death's prison to meet Jesus in the air, we will
bid farewell to sin. We will no more have a cross, no more tears, no
more darkness, for the Lord God is the light of that city. There will be
no more sad farewells, no more pain, no more death, but our precious
Redeemer will lead us to fountains of peace and joy.
