Title: Grace of Regeneration (Titus 03:1-7)
Content that we, being justified by his grace, might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The basis of the Christian faith is regeneration, and salvation comes from regeneration. Even Jesus said that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. However, the fact that many church members do not have the biblical understanding or experience of regeneration is a problem that needs to be deeply realized.
I. The significance of regeneration What does regeneration mean? Our old man, the fleshly man, and the sinful man die and are born again with Jesus into a new life. This is what Titus 3:5 said in the text, our salvation is to receive the mercy of God and to receive the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit...
The Lord said in John 3:3, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” In verse 5, Jesus said, “You cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” Why did he say that? The windows of the kingdom of heaven are wide open so that we can see and enter, but people's eyes are closed and they cannot see. It also means that we cannot enter because there is no heavenly life in our hearts. Rebirth is not any external physical change. For example, what is the use of washing a corpse and putting on a shroud? That has nothing to do with life.
Regeneration means receiving the life of God through faith and becoming a living being. First, he looked upon you who were dead in your trespasses and sins in Ephesians 2:1. It is to gain life, as in John 3:36, to break free from God's curse and gain eternal life. Second, a change of status, that is, the people of God John 3:3,5, is to become a child of God. Third, the change of life, that is, if a person who lived under sin before is regenerated, he or she lives under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. That is, we live in Christ.
II. How can we obtain rebirth? Is rebirth, the foundation of this precious salvation, essential for us humans?
1. It is the request of all mankind for salvation and eternal life. This is because, regardless of gender, status, status, race, etc., we cannot escape the curse of destruction as we are. This is because, as John 3:36 says, if there is no regeneration, it will perish, and only those who are born again will have this eternal life.
2. You must be born again in order to take off your sinful nature and put on a new person. In order to be renewed, as Romans 12:2 says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "You have been transformed by the renewing of your mind... and behold, it is made new."
3. Regeneration is also a requirement of God. Romans 8:8 says that those who are carnal cannot please God. In order to attain this kind of sentient being, there must be two histories.
First, it is working on God's side. John 1:13 says, “These are those who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. . In verse 5, it is said that it will be done not according to our works, but according to his mercy.
This is the work from above and the work of God's fun, and it cannot be accomplished without the grace of the Lord. At the same time, another thing is that the history of answers on the human side is necessary. In John 1:12 it says, to those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... This is to accept the Gospel (the Word) first.
James 1:8 says, "He begotten us by the word of truth." In 1 Peter 1:18, it says that you were born again... by the word. . With the help of the Holy Spirit working in the word, his heart is opened and the word of life regenerates me. Therefore, we must live in the Word and when we receive the Word, we will be born again.
In the early Jerusalem church, 3,000 people a day repented and believed in Peter's sermon, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and experienced regeneration. After that, they receive and believe in Christ as their Savior, and regeneration is accomplished. It is clearly taught in John 1:12-13, and Galatians 3:26 says that by this faith… we became the Son of God.
In this way, when God provides providence according to God's mercy and those who will be saved stand by faith in Jesus as their Savior and the guidance of the Word, regeneration is achieved and they become heirs to God's inheritance as shown in Galatians 3:27. For this grace, we must receive the grace of regeneration.
III. Some of the signs of a regenerated person's life When a regenerated person does not have a change in his or her life, that is, it becomes meaningless. In James 2:17 it is said that faith without works is dead in itself, and in 2:20 it is said, Do you not know that it is vain? Of course, this does not mean only actions, but also attitudes toward life.
1. It is to turn away from the life of sin and lead a life of righteousness. John 3:9 says, "Everyone who is born of God does not sin." This means that when you are regenerated, you will break off the evil habits you have committed and not come close to the sinful heart, will, and disposition you practiced in the past. In the past, iniquity was considered to be insignificant, but now it is shamed and even hated.
Living in sin as it is is never the attitude of a regenerated person. The Bible also says in Romans 6:13 Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness, but...
You were offering yourselves to God and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
But because we are weak, we all make many mistakes... (James 3:2). Therefore, we must repent of this moment by moment and be in the washing of regeneration with the help of the Holy Spirit.
2. That life must grow through the Word. Let us all become one in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, to become a perfect man,
It will be said that our growth as believers is required, just as we will reach the fullness of the quantity (Ephesians 4:13). It can only be done through the Word and prayer. Rebirth means new life. How grievous must a parent who has a child who does not grow up. Likewise, how sad God must be when his newborn child does not grow up. We must read the Word of God diligently. Don't be lazy... These words are our food, our lamp, our joy, our hope, and the power to break Satan's head and lead us to a place of glory.
Abraham Lincoln, famous 16th president of the United States, dear son of a dying mother at the age of ten, I have nothing to give you. I have neither property nor money. But I give you this Bible that I have as my only property.
It is said that he received the Bible together with Yoo Yeon who said, “Read this again and again, your future will be blessed!” Although he had no education, no money, and no wealth, he became a famous figure in history. Truly, regenerates must grow through the Word and prayer.
3. Regenerates must become those who overcome the world. For as it is said that everyone who is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4), we must overcome the temptations and temptations of the world.
Finally, we will realize the dignity of being born again and live by receiving this grace, and therefore, those who have been born again should have a fruitful life according to the signs of the ideal life.