Weekly Devotional 12-17-17
How is One Born Again / Man’s Part

In our last devotional on 12-10-17, “How is one Born Again” we considered that one is spiritually born again when the Holy Spirit works the miracle of spiritual regeneration in him. We learned from John 3:1-8 and Ephesians 2:1-10 that the Holy Spirit brings spiritual enlightenment and conviction to a person while he is, at the time, still in spiritual darkness and dead toward God. That is, separated from God. However, there is a third element to one being born again and that is man’s part. He must commit to the enlightenment and conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to him. We see this played throughout the Book of Acts. In chapters 2 and 4, we see approximately eight thousand Jews committing to Jesus Christ following Peter’s testimonies. In chapter 9, we see Saul (Paul) committing to Jesus following his apprehension by Him. In chapter 10, we see the centurion, Cornelius, committing to Jesus following Peter’s testimony. In chapter 16, we see Lydia committing to Jesus after Paul and Silas explained the word of God to her. Later in this chapter we see a Jailor and his household committing to Jesus following Paul and Silas’ witness to them.

Each of the named persons in the paragraph above committed themselves to following Jesus after the Holy Spirit brought illumination and conviction to them. It is the same with all persons who come to faith in Jesus Christ, who are born again. They commit themselves to Him, trusting Him for their salvation and for leadership over their lives. A person’s spiritual rebirth originates with the Holy Spirit and then the person responds in commitment.

Now the questions may be asked, “Why aren’t all persons born again? Doesn’t the Holy Spirit bring illumination and conviction to all persons?” The answer is yes, the Holy Spirit brings illumination and conviction, at least to some extent to all persons (see John 16:7-11), but this is only two thirds of the equation, man must respond positively to this illumination and conviction to be born again. Journeying back to Acts chapters 2 and 4, we see approximately eight thousand persons turning to Christ. Remember, there were many others who also heard Peter’s testimony, who had witnessed one hundred and twenty of Jesus’ disciples speaking in languages other than their given tongue. They not only heard Peter and the others speaking at least seventeen languages, but they themselves understood what was being said. Yet they would not commit to Jesus. Why?

Jesus gives the answer to that question in the Gospel of John. In conversation with Nicodemus He said, “16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:16-21 NKJB).

Man, in his natural state of being alienated from God, resists the light afforded by the Holy Spirit. In his natural state man does not know God. He follows that which he does know, the dictates of his fallen nature, and the suggestions of Satan the hater of God. Even though there is resistance in all persons, yet the Holy Spirit overcomes that resistance in some. It is these persons who respond positively to His illumination and conviction, and in commitment are born again.

How about you? Do you resist the Spirit’s illumination and the conviction He has brought to you? If you want to have a relationship with Holy God it is because of the Holy Spirit. Take the next step and surrender to His solicitation.

Blessings

stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man