Many who believe themselves to be real Christians unfortunately have never actually been "born again". No person has ever had anything to do with their own natural birth, and likewise, neither can they have anything to do with being "born of the Spirit". It is a sovereign act of God:
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"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
In the new birth God brings us from death unto life (John 5:24). He imparts to us His own nature (2 Pet. 1:4). He delivers us from the power of darkness and translates us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). Now, manifestly, we could not do this ourselves, for we were "without strength" (Rom. 5:6), hence it is written, "we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10).
In the new birth we are made partakers of the Divine nature: a principle, a "seed," a life, is communicated to us which is "born of the Spirit," and therefore "is spirit;" is born of the Holy Spirit, and therefore is holy. Apart from this Divine and holy nature which is imparted to us at the new birth, it is utterly impossible for any man to generate a spiritual impulse, form a spiritual concept, think a spiritual thought, understand spiritual things, still less engage in spiritual works. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord," but the natural man has no desire for holiness, and the provision that God has made he does not want. Will then a man pray for, seek for, strive after, that which he dislikes? Surely not. If then a man does "follow after" that which by nature he cordially dislikes, if he does now love the One he once hated, it is because a miraculous change has taken place within him; a power outside of himself has operated upon him, a nature entirely different from his old one has been imparted to him, and hence it is written, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Such an one as we have just described has passed from death unto life, has been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). In no other way can the great change be accounted for.
The new birth is very, very much more than simply shedding a few tears due to a temporary remorse over sin. It is far more than changing our course of life, the leaving off of bad habits and the substituting of good ones. It is something different from the mere cherishing and practicing of noble ideals. It goes infinitely deeper than coming forward to take some popular evangelist by the hand, signing a pledge-card, or "joining the church." The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf, but is the inception and reception of a new life. It is no mere reformation but a complete transformation. In short, the new birth is a miracle, the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting. A.W. Pink 1886-1952
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What this means then is that there really is no such thing as the common idea of "saying the 'sinners prayer' to accept the Lord":
John 3:8 'The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit'
12 comments :
i blv
These are definate truths which I hold fast to.
Only difficulty I have with this is the possibility of judging who is saved and who is not based upon their individual perceptions with regard to a believer's systematic theology ( the "I got it" and you don't...position could be a prideful exercise if taken to a point of jugding a Christian based upon this position.)
We are brothers and sisters in Christ when we march down Roman's Road...period. After that we each work out our own salvation. (Some swifter & more perceptivly as the Holy Spirit yields to each of us truths.) Some move to the meat and some stay at the milk...that said, we are all believers.
Judging another's salvation based upon a certain systematic theology might well be a legalistic exercise and devisive.
Rom 14:4, Matt 7:1
re: "that said, we are all believers"
No no a thousand times no. You know not that of which you speak.
It takes much more than simply ascribing to a creed - whatever that is supposed to mean about "when we march down Roman's Road...period"
Matthew 7:
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
***
Yes, that is correct. The Lord Jesus Christ will himself 'profess' to the many 'professors'
...probably some regulars on your Roman's Road
...false professors just the same...who did all sorts of things in his very name:
"depart from me"
...and then pronounce iniquity upon all of their "wonderful works"
Be careful ABL...it is dangerous to be self-appointed and preach falsely
When I said that there is "a possibility of judging" who is saved and who is not, based upon one's take of a believer's SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I meant exactly what I wrote.
When I say believer I mean believer...not "ye that work iniquity"
Romans Road is a profession of faith based upon these scriptures:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:13
Eph 2:8-9
Rev 3:20
(And I was speaking of true Christian believers..one'growing in Christ. Not backsliders, pagans, cults etc)
You lean legalistic and your tendency is to judge other believers. (last time I looked I did not see you in my prayer closet nor walking in my Christian shoes)
I am not speaking about "false professors" of the faith. I am speaking to the various ( and numerous) forms of systematic Christian theology in my previous post.
How am I to take your comment brother?
"be careful ABL...It is dangerous to be self appointed and preach falsely"
My point....
Rom 14:4, Matt 7:1
Please explain what is necessary to be considered a believer. Do I understand you to say it's "faith (Roman's Road) plus"?
Who is the divider of the sheep and goats? I was under the understanding it's Christ alone.
Regarding the "them" in Matt 7:23.
"Probably some regulars on "your" Roman's Road"
Is there some "other Roman's Road"?
What exactly is faith?...the moment of faith? If it's just "a moment"...it is not faith? Is God's hand shortened that He can not save the professor of faith...even if it is for a moment in time?....eventually. How does a person develop the divine ability to know who truly believes?
(Please understand I am NOT talking about fruit inspection here) That said, and while on that topic: At the very "moment" you yourself came to believe, do I understand you to say you had at that time a full knowledge of all correct doctrine, and had produced (and continued to produce) incorruptable fruit? You were given the Holy Spirit to teach you and to help you discern... Are you unique in that?
Please explain John 1:11,12. When the word tells us that: "He gave them power to become the sons of God, even them that believe on His name" What does "He gave them power to believe" mean? "Believe on His name"...what does that mean?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2Tim3:16-17
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:30-31
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jn 3:3
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Do you believe?
Jesus said:
"I am the bread of life" Jn6:35
"I am the light of the world" Jn8:12
"I am the door of the sheep" Jn10:7
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" Jn10:11
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?" Jn11:25
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" Jn 14:6
"I am the true vine....abide in me" Jn 15
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jn 3:3
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
Refer back to AW Pink: A Few Truths About The New Birth.
Seems quite clear....and actually pretty simple.
Thank you, you have confirmed for me what I myself do strongly believe. I was confused there for a minute reading "ABL said...".
To Another Voice,
Mr. A. W. Pink seems to be a very committed man of God, however I take issue with just a few statements from this article.
Regarding: "No person has ever had anything to do with their own natural birth, and likewise, neither can they have anything to do with being 'born of the Spirit.' It is a sovereign act of God:"
I absolutely agree that to be born of God's Spirit "is a sovereign act of God," but how a person responds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ will greatly affect how God responds to them. And there are many who believe they are "born from above," but are still in their "flesh," and NEED to be "born again."
Also Pink's following statement needs a little clarification: "Apart from this Divine and holy nature which is imparted to us at the new birth, it is utterly impossible for any man to generate a spiritual impulse, form a spiritual concept, think a spiritual thought, understand spiritual things, still less engage in spiritual works."
There is a "spiritual world" out there that is quite active, and those who are knowingly walking with the Enemy, are generating a lot of "spiritual impulses," and "spiritual thoughts," and "engaging in spiritual works," but the Devil is their "god," and he is a liar and a deceiver. He lies and manipulates his own in order to advance his evil agenda, and those who are under the "power of Darkness" really do not understand the Truth.
It is just like God said in Daniel 12:4-10 "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my LORD, what shall be the end of these things?
And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the Time of the End.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and NONE OF THE WICKED SHALL UNDERSTAND; but the wise shall understand."
And yes, the "deep things of God" are totally unattainable and cannot be known without God's Spirit revealing them to us.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But HE THAT IS SPIRITUAL judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the LORD, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
C. Read
True Light Publications
There is a "spirit world"....darkness. But the spirtual that Pink was referring to was not that, but Truth and light.
That said your point is well taken.
2Cor 11:13,14
To Anonymous of May 3, 2010 @12:39 PM
I also believe that to be the Truth.
C. Read
True Light Publications®
Anonymous, Wondering if you noticed the audio sermons posted on the right side of AV 18:4 blogspot? Also some good reading like "Remember Lot's Wife", Midnight Cry, False Prophets (William Dell) listed under classic sermons or try plugging into blogspot search bar.
Of course, the all-time best....Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psa119:105
Thou art my portion, O LORD
Thanks A2....listened to them all.
Remember the historical context, the time in which these preachers preachered. Some good stuff, but also some tilted theology.
We must take the word for what it sez and in the context of our time apply it and not justify a perception of prophetic events of our time based upon these old sermons....soley.
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