“… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4. 

“Partakers of the divine nature.”  

Does hearing this awaken something in you?  

Do you long to be transformed from your sinful human nature to God’s  nature, while here on earth? 

by Lloyd Cain

The Meaning of Regeneration

The word “regeneration” refers to the bringing in of a new order of things (Matt 19:28).  While the term is not synonymous with the new birth it is often used theologically to refer to the impartation of divine life to the soul at conversion.  This new life, when imparted, establishes a new order of things in the life of the believer.  The Lord Jesus set forth the essential character of this new birth when He spoke to Nicodemus; He was showing that receiving Christ, believing on Him (exercising faith in Christ) and being born again, were coincidental experiences, all occurring at the moment of salvation.

The Manner of Regeneration 

We have stated that regeneration, as we use the word, refers to the impartation of Divine life to the soul (baptism of the Holy Spirit).  

At conversion we are born again, born from above, and born into the family of God.  We become partakers of a Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).  His Word is implanted within us (James 1:21), and “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Heb10:16).  This work in the heart is done by the Holy Spirit, Who, upon our believing the message of the gospel, indwells us (permanently), and empowers us (Eph 1:13).  In the work of regeneration, the Holy Spirit of God uses the incorruptible seed of the Word of God (James 1:18, 1 Pet 1:22-23).  Regeneration is not reformation; it is not religion; it is, as we have stated, the communication of Divine life to the soul.  It is the result of the Will of God (John 1:13, James 1:18), the Work of Christ (John 3:14-16), the Word of God (James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23), and the Spirit of God (John 3:5, 8, Titus 3:5).

A. The Manifestations of Life in James’ Epistle

The words of James 1:17-25 are, “Of His own will begat He us with the Word of Truth that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.”  God is called in the context “the Father of Lights.”  It is anticipated by James that the Father’s children, those born into His family, will exhibit the characteristics of the family. With Him is no darkness.  There should not be darkness in our lives if we belong to Him.   As first-fruits, there is to be conformity to His will.  Those who have had implanted within them the Word of God cannot be hearers only but must be doers also of the Word.  They are to look intently into the Word and continue therein.  Regeneration is manifested in our character, our conformity, and our continuing in the commandments.

B. The Manifestations of Life in Peter’s First Epistle

Peter wrote, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God” (1:23).  What are the consequences of their being born again? 

--Firstly, Peter tells them that they should “as newborn babes, desire earnestly the sincere milk of the Word” (2:1-3).  A desire for the Word is one of the first evidences of life within.  

--Secondly, he tells them that as living stones they are part of a holy priesthood and will naturally “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (2:4-5).  

--Thirdly, as royal priests they will “show forth the virtues of Him Who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light’ (2:10).

--Fourthly, as strangers and pilgrims they will “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul’ (2:11).  The Word, the worship, the walk, and the warfare-these are evidences of the life that has been implanted!

C. The Manifestations of Life in John’s First Epistle

John sets forth the most concerning the new birth and the life that is thereby imparted.  Chapter two of his first epistle introduces us to a major theme, The Three Great Tests of Divine Life.  These tests have been called the moral test – obedience, the social test – love, and the theological test, this last being a correct view of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We will call them here the Tests of Behavior, Brotherly Love, and Belief.  They could be called the Test of Our Conduct, of our Compassion, and of our Convictions.  With John there is no such thing as a conversion that does not bring change.  

John deals with the first test, the test of behavior, when he says, “Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments” (2:3-6).  

He takes up the second test, brotherly love, in 2:7-11 and again in 3:13-18, 4:7-12, and 4:16-21.  Notice his words, “He that saith he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness even until now” (2:9).  Again, he says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren” (3:14).  

The third test, the test of belief, is his topic in 4:13-15.  He writes, “Hereby know we that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit is the teacher and John goes on to develop his theme, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.”  It is interesting that John combines all three tests of life together in at least two passages: 1 John 3:19-24 and again in 5:1-3.

Paul describes the work of salvation in a rich passage in Titus 3:4-7.  “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 Spirit, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  In this great, Divine, philanthropical passage on salvation, 

1. there is regeneration-“by the washing of regeneration.”  

2. There is renewal-“and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”   

3. There are the riches-“which He poured forth on us richly.”  

4. There is the righteousness-“having been justified by His grace.”   

5. There is an eternal relationship-“we have been made heirs.”  

That being acknowledged, 'every coin has two sides;' God's side, through faith, avails us God's matchless grace, forgiveness, and the privilege of eternal life; our side deserves a heartfelt gratitude and responsibility in using this great gift to the glory of God and His Son.  James reminds us: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also". James 2:26

A true believer will gladly and loyally use this divine gift by advancing the Kingdom of our God in sharing the 'Good News' of the Gospel, and helping those who are still lost as we once were to be rescued from eternal condemnation.

In regeneration we have a new order of things brought in by the impartation of Divine life to the soul.  In Ephesians we read of Christ’s great purpose for the Church (5:26-27).  In the renewing of the Holy Spirit we are referred back to Pentecost.  Because of that once for all initial act, we enjoy all the blessings that accrue to us because of His indwelling the Church and the Christian.

True believers are the 'temple of God'.

The believer is 'in God' and God is 'in the believer'.

The believer is 'in Christ' and Christ is 'in the believer'.

The believer is 'in the Holy Spirit' and the Holy Spirit is 'in the believer'.

We must seriously strive to walk more by faith and less by sight in order be holy onto God, and to fulfill the great mission we have been in-trusted with.

"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."  1 Corinthians 6:17 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; " 1 Peter 3:15

There is such a thing as 'dead faith', a faith that 'remains alone' and does nothing.  If we only 'believe' in Jesus in the sense of accepting as true various facts about Him but do not have a true change of attitude toward God, self, sin, and holiness, we are not exercising genuine saving faith.  A living faith cannot fail to act itself out in our lives, affecting what we think, say and do.

Hebrews 13:13-15 exhorts us.  "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

"Happy are all those keeping in expectation of Him." Isaiah 30:18 

Soon our Heavenly Father will bless us richly by means of His Kingdom.  Those who keep in expectation of His return will receive many blessings, both now and, in the new world to come.  When God's people enter in His new world (Rev.21:1) they will never again have to endure the anxieties and the challenges that they must face today.  Injustice will be gone, and pain will be no more. (Rev.21:4)  We will no longer have to wait anxiously for what we need because there will be an abundance. (Psalm 72:16; Isaiah 54:13)  What a blessing that will be!  In the meantime, with every bad habit we conquer and every godly quality we develop, God and Christ are preparing us for life under His perfect rulership.  Do not loose heart.  And do not give up.  The best is yet to come!  With a bright future ahead of us, may we continue to wait willingly, and patiently, on Jehovah God ss He completes His perfect work.

Credits:   Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, unless otherwise noted. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Some of this content is used by permission from Truth and Tidings.com, and Active Christianity.org, and jw.org 

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This page created by Peter Brenner on Sunday, October 29, 2023