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How Does Regeneration Transform the Believer?

The Need for Regeneration


Regeneration, or the new birth, is a fundamental concept in the Christian faith, and its importance cannot be overstated. Jesus Himself declared in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This statement establishes the necessity of regeneration for anyone who desires to enter into a relationship with God and be part of His kingdom. But what exactly does it mean to be "born again," and why is this process so essential?


The Bible presents regeneration as an act of God, wherein He brings about a complete transformation in an individual's life. This transformation is so profound that it is likened to a new birth, a fresh start, where the old self is left behind, and a new person emerges, one who is now spiritually alive and responsive to God. This change is not merely superficial or behavioral but goes to the very core of a person's being, affecting their desires, thoughts, and actions.



The Source of Regeneration


Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not something that can be achieved by human effort or willpower. John 3:5-8 emphasizes this when Jesus says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." This passage highlights the mysterious and sovereign nature of the Spirit's work in regeneration. Just as we cannot control or fully understand the wind, we cannot control or fully comprehend the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about the new birth.


This underscores the monergistic nature of regeneration, meaning that it is solely the work of God. Just as an infant does not contribute to its own birth, so too the spiritually dead person cannot contribute to their own regeneration. Ephesians 2:1-5 makes it clear that before regeneration, we are "dead in trespasses and sins," completely incapable of reaching out to God or responding to Him apart from His intervention.



The Instrument of Regeneration: The Word of God


While regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is the instrument He uses to bring about this transformation. James 1:18 states, "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." Similarly, 1 Peter 1:23 affirms, "You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." The Word of God, particularly the gospel message, is the means by which the Holy Spirit works to open the hearts of individuals, bringing them to faith and new life in Christ.


The Word of God is powerful and effective, able to penetrate even the hardest of hearts. Hebrews 4:12 describes it as "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." It is through the proclamation of the gospel that the Holy Spirit brings about the new birth, convicting individuals of their sin, revealing the truth of Christ, and leading them to repentance and faith.



The Result of Regeneration: A New Creation


Regeneration results in a complete and radical transformation of the individual. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This new creation is characterized by a new heart, a new spirit, and new desires. Ezekiel 36:26-27 prophesies this transformation, saying, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."


This new heart and new spirit enable the believer to live a life that is pleasing to God. Whereas before, the individual was enslaved to sin and unable to please God, now, through regeneration, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in obedience to God's commands. Romans 6:4 speaks of this new life, stating, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."



The Evidence of Regeneration: A Changed Life


The evidence of regeneration is seen in the changed life of the believer. 1 John 3:9 says, "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." This does not mean that the believer will be sinless, but rather that their relationship to sin has fundamentally changed. They no longer live in habitual, unrepentant sin but instead strive to live in a way that honors God.


The fruits of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, are also evidence of regeneration. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all characteristics of the regenerated believer. These fruits are not produced by the believer's effort but are the result of the Holy Spirit's work within them.



Regeneration and Justification: Distinct but Inseparable


It is important to understand the distinction between regeneration and justification, though they are inseparably linked. Justification is the legal declaration by God that the sinner is righteous in His sight, based on the righteousness of Christ imputed to them through faith (Romans 3:24-26). Regeneration, on the other hand, is the inward transformation of the sinner, making them a new creation in Christ. While justification deals with the believer's legal standing before God, regeneration deals with their spiritual condition.


These two aspects of salvation occur simultaneously. When a person is justified by faith, they are also regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The new birth enables the believer to respond in faith to the gospel, and through that faith, they are justified. Titus 3:5-7 beautifully ties these concepts together: "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, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."



The Continuous Work of Regeneration: Sanctification


While regeneration is a one-time event, it begins a lifelong process of sanctification, where the believer is progressively conformed to the image of Christ. Philippians 1:6 gives assurance of this ongoing work, stating, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." The Holy Spirit continues to work in the believer, enabling them to grow in holiness and to bear more fruit in their Christian walk.


This process of sanctification is not without struggle, as the believer still battles against the flesh, the world, and the devil. However, the power of the Holy Spirit within them ensures that they will ultimately be victorious. Romans 8:13 encourages believers in this struggle: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." The ongoing work of regeneration assures the believer of their ultimate glorification, where they will be made perfect in the presence of God.



The Role of Regeneration in Eternal Life


Regeneration is the gateway to eternal life. Jesus said in John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." The new birth is the beginning of the eternal life that believers will fully experience in the presence of God. This eternal life is not just a future hope but begins the moment a person is born again. John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ: "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."


The regenerated believer enjoys a relationship with God that will continue for all eternity. This relationship is characterized by communion with God, growing in knowledge of Him, and living in the light of His presence. The assurance of eternal life gives the believer hope and confidence, knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).



The Assurance of Salvation Through Regeneration


One of the greatest blessings of regeneration is the assurance of salvation. 1 John 5:13 states, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." This assurance is based on the evidence of the new birth in the believer's life—the presence of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ.


The assurance of salvation is not based on feelings or circumstances but on the unchanging promises of God. The regenerated believer can have confidence that they are a child of God and that their salvation is secure in Christ. Romans 8:16 affirms, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."


This assurance leads to a life of joy and peace, knowing that God has done a work in the believer that will be brought to completion. It also motivates the believer to live a life of gratitude and obedience, responding to the grace they have received with a desire to glorify God in all they do.



What Is Salvation?


The Bible uses the terms "save" and "salvation" in different contexts. Sometimes, they refer to being rescued from physical danger or destruction, like when the Israelites were saved from the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14) or when Paul and others faced peril at sea (Acts 27:20). However, more often, these terms refer to being saved from sin. Since sin leads to death, being saved from sin means having the hope of eternal life (Matthew 1:21; John 3:16-17).


The Bible sometimes speaks of salvation as if it has already been accomplished, even though the full realization of salvation—being completely freed from sin and death—lies in the future (Ephesians 2:5; Romans 13:11).


The Way to Salvation


To be saved, the Bible teaches that you must have faith in Jesus Christ and show that faith by obeying His teachings (Acts 4:10, 12; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 5:9). This faith is demonstrated by works—actions that prove your faith is genuine. James 2:24, 26 makes it clear that faith without works is dead, meaning that true faith naturally produces obedience.


However, it's important to understand that these works don't earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, given by His grace—His undeserved kindness (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that while our actions reflect our faith, they do not make us deserving of salvation; rather, God grants it out of His mercy.


Can You Lose Salvation?


Yes, it is possible to lose salvation. Just as someone rescued from drowning could fall back into the water, a person saved from sin could lose their salvation if they stop evidencing their faith. This is why the Bible urges believers to "put up a hard fight for the faith" (Jude 3) and to "keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). This means that Christians must continue to live faithfully and obediently, understanding the serious responsibility of maintaining their salvation.


Explore the question of salvation security for believers. Discover insights and perspectives. Read more for a thoughtful discussion.


Who is the Savior—God or Jesus?


The Bible identifies God as the ultimate source of salvation, often referring to Him as "Savior" (1 Samuel 10:19; Isaiah 43:11; Titus 2:10; Jude 25). In the Old Testament, God used various men to deliver Israel from their enemies, and these men were called "saviors" (Nehemiah 9:27; Judges 3:9, 15; 2 Kings 13:5). The same Hebrew word used for these human saviors is also used for Jehovah as the divine Savior (Psalm 7:10).


Jesus is also called "Savior" because God provided salvation from sin through Jesus' sacrifice (Acts 5:31; Titus 1:4). The name "Jesus" itself comes from the Hebrew name "Yehoh·shuʹaʽ," which means "Jehovah Is Salvation," emphasizing that Jesus is the means by which Jehovah offers salvation to humanity.


Will Everyone Be Saved?


No, not everyone will be saved. Jesus made it clear that while salvation is offered to all, not everyone will accept it. When asked if only a few would be saved, Jesus responded by saying that many would seek to enter the narrow door of salvation but would not be able to (Luke 13:23-24). This indicates that while God desires people to be saved, salvation requires effort and commitment, and some will choose to reject it.


Misconceptions About Universal Salvation


Some believe that the Bible teaches universal salvation, meaning that everyone will be saved regardless of their actions or beliefs. For example, 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "in the Christ all will be made alive," but the context of this verse is about the resurrection. It means that everyone who is resurrected will have this blessing through Christ, not that everyone will be saved (John 11:25).


Another verse often cited is Titus 2:11, which says that God is "bringing salvation to all people." However, the Greek word translated as "all" can also mean "every kind or variety." This means that God is making salvation available to all sorts of people, regardless of their background or nationality, as seen in Revelation 7:9-10, where people from all nations are saved.


Finally, 2 Peter 3:9 says that God "does not desire anyone to be destroyed." While God wants everyone to be saved, He does not force anyone to accept salvation. His day of judgment will still involve the destruction of those who reject His offer of salvation (2 Peter 3:7).


In summary, salvation is a gift from God, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrated by obedient actions. While God desires everyone to be saved, salvation is not automatic and can be lost if faith is not maintained. Not everyone will be saved, as it requires accepting God's provision for salvation and living according to His will.



The Call to Examine Yourself


While regeneration brings assurance, it also calls for self-examination. 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges believers to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" This examination is not meant to cause doubt but to encourage believers to confirm the reality of their regeneration by looking for the evidence of a transformed life.


The marks of regeneration—faith in Christ, love for God and others, repentance from sin, and the fruit of the Spirit—should be evident in the believer's life. Where these are present, the believer can have confidence in their salvation. Where they are lacking, it may be a call to repentance and a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit's work.



The Importance of Regeneration in the Christian Life


In conclusion, regeneration is the foundation of the Christian life. It is the beginning of the believer's journey with God, a journey that leads to eternal life. Without the new birth, there is no entrance into the kingdom of God, no relationship with Him, and no hope of eternal life. Regeneration is a work of God, accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, resulting in a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ.


For the believer, regeneration brings assurance, joy, and peace, knowing that they are a new creation in Christ, forever changed by the power of God. It also brings a call to live a life that honors God, growing in holiness and bearing fruit that brings glory to Him. As believers continue to walk in the Spirit, they can be confident that the work God has begun in them will be brought to completion, leading them to eternal life with Him.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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