The Gospel (part 6)

by

BERT BAUMAN

THE NEW BIRTH

Nicodemus was quite willing to do something to be born again but Jesus gave him no formula. Instead, He likened the mystery of spiritual birth to the uncertain ways of the wind. Clearly, He intended His words to teach that the creation of life is totally in the hand of God and totally subject to His will. Inspired by the same Spirit, James wrote, “OF HIS OWN WILL begat He us with the word of truth” (James 1:10). The Apostle John emphasizes, those who believe in Jesus” … were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD”, (John 1:13). In light of this clear statements, how is it possible for men to teach that the human will can have anything to do with being born again? No, it is clear, God must make us alive or we abide in death, as many scriptures teach. We are blind and dead to God and His Kingdom and to all that is spiritually of God until He in His mercy begets His life in us. The life of God must first be imparted before a man can receive Jesus or any spiritual gift of God. “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14). Faith in Jesus is the RESULT of the new birth. We believe in Him BECAUSE we are born again not IN ORDER to be born again. “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (I Corinthians 12:3).

It is possible to have life and not know it. John teaches that believing in Jesus is evidence that the life of God has been imparted, “These things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:13). So, if you are believing in Jesus, you may be sure that God has already given you life. This should be great comfort for those who are always battling the demon of doubt in order to find assurance of life. Faith is a gift, given in and with the life of God that comes to us in the gospel. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus taught no other way to receive life than a sovereign gift of God. Notice John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth unto me shall come to me and whom that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” And in John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…”, and again in John 6:65. “And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” In this work the Father and the Son are in harmony, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” (John 15:16).

Extract from the book “The Gospel” by Bert Bauman