Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
John 3:5-6
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Sprit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:6-8
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were, by nature, children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) . . .
Ephesians 2:1-5
Have you ever watched a woman in childbirth? I've not, but it must be a really awesome (and kind of gross) sight! The infant is completely, helplessly being pushed out of the birth canal without contributing any effort to the woman's labor (though we might wish he would!). Have you ever watched the Holy Spirit birth life into a person? It is truly an awesome and exciting thing to watch! Imagine . . . weeks, months and years praying, ministering, preaching to and living the gospel before a loved one who is completely opposed to the things of God suddenly show interest in reading God's Word, asking spiritual questions and awakened to the vanity of chasing after the wind to a desire to chase after Christ!!
The Spirit is birthing one of our loved ones now and Jeramy and I continue to pray fervently for him that God would open His eyes to see the beauty of the holiness and righteousness of Christ and put off the world and pursue Christ, trusting in Him alone for salvation. This spiritual birth comes as a work of the Holy Spirit in subjection to the will of God and not man. No person can merely pray a prayer, walk an isle, sign a certificate or take a public bath (baptism) and receive spiritual life if the Holy Spirit has not breathed it into him/her. There is no work a person can do in order to receive salvation in Christ. Just as we are powerless over our physical birth, we cannot contribute anything to our spiritual birth. Even our ability to believe is a gift of God's grace as a result of the new nature in Christ. All the work of salvation - the new birth of regeneration, grace unto repentance, belief, justification, obedience, sanctification, perseverance, glorification - is ALL the work of God in those who walk according to the Spirit of Christ. Realizing this makes watching the new birth all the more exciting!!! And it makes our praise and worship of God all the more glorifying to Him!!!
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