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NASB | John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. |
Bible Question:
The Gospel of John speaks of Resurrection Life quite a bit (zoe). How would you describe that life? example: Is this truly a new life born within us upon believing or are we simply made aware or made part of God's life by recognizing and believing? Is the Life Adam knew before the fall the same Life we know as Christians? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Nor... What John talks about so much is what we call "regeneration" in Christian theology -- commonly called being "born again." It is a work of the Holy Spirit. Here are four major evidences of that work in the life of a believer: 1. The first evidence of regeneration in a believer is sorrow over sin. I read once that sin is spelled with "I" in the middle. The Holy Spirit works in us a knowledge and deep sorrow for our sin. This is the kind of sorrow that that is accompanied by repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), a turning, and an abhoring of sin. In the past, a desire to be delivered from these sins did not seem as great, but now we see them in God's eyes. Isaiah 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Luke 5:8 "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Psalm 51:3-4 "I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." 2. Along with the knowledge of sin, there is must be a knowledge that it is Jesus Christ who alone can take away and deliver one from their sin. It is knowledge that it is only Jesus and His finished work on the cross that can remove sins. Not our works, not our own will, not the works of any other person, nor declaration of a church or a priest, none of these things effect our standing before a Holy God. "Nothing but the blood of Jesus." 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 3. The third evidence of regeneration is a desire to live a holy life. We acknowledge that there is still much sin in us, but we now desire to put these things off, and live gratefully unto our God to His glory. Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 4. The final evidence of regeneration, is a fruitful life. A life filled with good works. These works do not serve any function to bring about righteousness nor do they play a part in our salvation. However, their presence demonstrates that we belong to and abide in Christ. John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Here are a few quotes on the topic of regeneration, too. "When a man is converted to God, it is done in a moment. Regeneration is an instantaneous work. Conversion to God, the fruit of regeneration, occupies all our life, but regeneration itself is effected in an instant. A man hates God -- the Holy Spirit makes him love God. A man is opposed to Christ, he hates his gospel, does not understand it and will not receive it -- the Holy Spirit comes, puts light into his darkened understanding, takes the chain from his bondaged will, gives liberty to his conscience, gives life to his dead soul, so that the voice of conscience is heard, and the man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus.And all this is done, mark you, by the instantaneous supernatural influence of God the Holy Spirit working as he wills among the sons of men." --Charles H. Spurgeon "Regeneration is the spiritual change wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Spirit in which his/her inherently sinful nature is changed so that he/she can respond to God in Faith, and live in accordance with His Will (Matt. 19:28; John 3:3,5,7; Titus 3:5). It is an inner re-creating of fallen human nature by the gracious sovereign action of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8). This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God (John 1:12, 13; 1 John 2:29; 5:1, 4). It extends to the whole nature of man, altering his governing disposition, illuminating his mind, freeing his will, and renewing his nature." --J. I. Packer "Regeneration is a secret act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to us. This is sometimes called 'being born again' (using language from John 3:3-8)." --Wayne Grudem "But the moment of regeneration is never visible to us. Lack of regeneration, however, is visible over time because the works of the flesh, Paul tells us, are manifest. And the fruit of the Spirit manifest themselves publicly as well, and Jesus tells us to make our judgments on the basis of fruit. But it must be noted that biblical judgments of this sort are mature, and are based on the mature outcome of a person's way of life. All this to say that genuine discernment is based on the video, not on the snapshot." --Douglas Wilson In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for John 3:6 | Author | ||
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Chucky1146 | ||
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Robert Nicholson | ||
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Ray | ||
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mabelh | ||
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nor | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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nallon | ||
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DocTrinsograce |