What Is The New Birth? Ephesians 2:1

I cannot explain to you the mystery of the new birth. It is one of God’s incomprehensible works. But there are several things in the Word of God which identify God’s regenerating grace.

To be born again is to be raised from the dead (Eph. 2:1-5). If ever you come to understand that the new birth is a resurrection all the foolish blasphemy of freewillism will become obvious to you. Can a man raise himself from the dead by the exercise of his will? Can a corpse resurrect itself by a decision? Nonsense! Resurrection power belongs to God alone. Spiritually dead sinners are resurrected to spiritual, eternal life by the power and grace of God alone (John 5:25). Those who are made partakers of this resurrection of grace are blessed, forever blessed of God (Rev. 20:6).

To be born again is to be made a partaker of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). In regeneration a divine like nature is created in our souls, so that men and women upon the earth are born in the image of God (Gal. 5:22). John Gill put it this way - “In regeneration there is that wrought in the soul which bears a resemblance to the divine nature, in spirituality, holiness, goodness, (and) kindness.”

To be born again is to have Christ formed in us (Gal. 4:19). To have eternal life is to have the Lord Jesus Christ living in you (Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27).

To be born again is to have a good seed implanted in you by grace (1 John 3:9-10). By nature we are all sprung from bad seed - Adam. But in regeneration we are sprung from good Seed - The Lord Jesus Christ.

To be born again is to be made a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). In short, the new birth is God’s work in you. It is God’s work alone. It is a work of pure, free, almighty grace. All who are born again by God’s sovereign, irresistible grace are given…

· A New Heart To Know And Love God.

· A New Will To Bow To The Rule Of Christ.

· A New Mind To Understand The Things Of God.

· A New, Spiritual Nature To Know, Enjoy, And Live Upon Spiritual Things.

· New Eyes, Eyes Of Faith, With Which To See Christ.

· New Ears With Which To Hear His Voice.

· New Hands, Hands Of Faith, With Which To Lay Hold Of Christ And Do His Will.

· New Feet, With Which To Flee To Christ And Walk With Him In The Newness Of Life.

This is the great difference between the law and the gospel. The law demands everything, but gives nothing. The gospel demands nothing, but gives everything!

“Run, run, and work,” the law demands, Yet gives me neither feet nor hands;

But sweet, good news the gospel brings. It bids me fly, and gives me wings!

With these my heavy soul may fly Away to Christ and reach the sky,

Nor faint, nor falter in the race, But work with cheer and sing of grace!

Don Fortner