“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” | Titus 3: 4-6
Here is a passive word — “Be”
The new birth is not something you do.
It is something done to you, something God does for you and in you.
A man has no more to do with his spiritual birth than he does with his natural birth.
In this matter of regeneration man is passive. He has nothing to do with it. (John 1: 12-13)
You cannot save yourself.
You cannot give yourself life.
You cannot be born again by something you do.
The new birth is not accomplished by moral reformation, baptism, religious fervor, zealous works and devotion, or even by faith in Christ.
Faith in Christ is not the cause of the new birth. Faith is the result of the new birth.
We believe according to the working of God’s mighty power, by the operation of his grace. (Ephesians 1: 19; Ephesians 2: 8; Colossians 2: 11-12)
The new birth is something done to you, for you, and in you by God’s sovereign, irresistible grace. It is not something you do.
“You must BE born again!”
Martin Luther correctly asserted, “If any man ascribes anything of salvation, even the very least thing, to the free will of man, he knows nothing of grace, and he has not learned Jesus Christ rightly.”
~ Pastor Don Fortner
Click here to listen to the message
“Don’t Ever Forget Who You Are, and Whose You Are”
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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.
FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 10 August, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky