The New Birth

by J. BENNISON | Category: For Young Believers | Jan 1951

Decision for Christ with all that that involves is undoubtedly the greatest step in any individual's experience. At that moment one is "translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love " (Colossians 1. 18). Life with all its glorious possibilities has commenced, but let us not forget that this is only the beginning. If it takes place on the threshold of manhood or womanhood it is not only a soul saved, but the possibility of a life saved for God, a life full of opportunities for service to Him. We belonged to Him by creation, but life was forfeited through sin and the fall. Life, thank God, is now ours by regeneration.

Let us be clear as to what took place when we came to Christ. Many confuse "conversion" and "regeneration. " They are not interchangeable terms. "Regeneration" is not " conversion," neither is "conversion" "regeneration," though the two words stand for the same spiritual experience. "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature" ; this is regeneration. "The old things are passed away; behold they are become new" (2 Corinthians 5.17); that is conversion. A regenerated life involves a changed life. The things we once loved, now we hate, and what we once loathed, now we love.

Regeneration tells of a birth, conversion of a changed life. In that memorable passage on the new birth, Nicodemus came to the Lord full of knowledge, but is quickly asking, "How?" "How can a man be born when he is old?" (John 3.4). The teacher in Israel had much to learn. In that night the Lord set forth the only means whereby one can "see the kingdom of God." "Ye must be born anew" (verse 7), "from above" (R.V. marg.). Lest there might be any misunderstanding as to the origin of this new life, the Lord defines the nature of the new birth. It is from above and is essentially the Holy Spirit's work. " So is every one that is born of the Spirit" (verse 8). Hark! can you hear the sighing of the wind? So is the operation of the Spirit.

The origin then is from above. Its nature is spiritual and the operation is secret. It follows then that decision for Christ means that such an one is born of God, having received divine life, "Born not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1.13), and is therefore a child of God, destined to share the blessings of the Father's house. This new life will need sustenance, for living things need food. Spiritual growth, as with physical growth, involves the fulfilment of certain necessary conditions. Nourishing, strengthening food is essential. The Holy Spirit tells us that, as new born babes, we should desire the " sincere milk" of the Word (1 Peter 2.2). Nevertheless, according to Hebrews 5. 14, the time should come when we can take" solid food." If you are to be" strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6.10), good food is necessary. Do not rest content with only milk, go on to partake of solid food. Sensational stories, comics, sex novels, and sceptical books are not suitable food for a chi]d of God, but they are poison. You might as well try to train athletes on jam tarts. The way to feed is to read; read your Bible every day. It is absolutely indispensable to spiritual growth. Study it, not to see what you can do with it, but to discover what it will do with you. All the vitamins for spiritual health are here. There are far too many anaemic Christians, the cause of which is wrong feeding. Do not rest satisfied with a few crumbs. Remember the words: "Eat, 0 friends. Drink, yea, drink abundantly, 0 beloved" (Song of Songs 5.1).

J. BENNISON | Jan 1951
For Young Believers