Regeneration (Part 2)

In this devotion we continue to embrace the warm grace of God that inhabits the Bible’s concept of regeneration, we again consider what Professor Daniel Deutschlander says about it. (If you missed Part 1 in this series, tap here.)
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[Christians have been regenerated, reborn as new people with God as our Father.] With a new nature from a new Parent we have new characteristics. St. Peter tells us that the seed of God’s Word is imperishable, that it lives and endures forever (1 Peter 1:23- 25). That is what we inherit as a result of this new birth. 

From Adam and Eve we inherited death. In the new birth, in regeneration, in coming to faith, we inherit life and life eternal through the message of the gospel. For in coming to faith we become God’s children (Galatians 3: 26), born anew of God (1 John 5: 1). 

And all of this is from the will of God accomplished through the gospel (John 1: 12,13). In it all we are passive receivers of God’s grace and Christ’s merit. As with conversion, so with regeneration: It is instantaneous. There is no such thing as sort of born, not quite born, or half born. One is either born or not yet born. 

It is unfortunate that many churches expect the believer to be able to identify the moment of conversion, of regeneration. There is no scriptural need for us to do that. Indeed, we cannot recall the moment of our first birth either, but that does not mean that we were not born. 

The fact of conversion and regeneration, evidenced by a trust in the promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation on account of grace and Christ’s merit, is what is important. The what of conversion and regeneration matters; the when does not. For some the moment may indeed be one that they remember very well and thankfully. But even for such, their trust and joy is in the fact, not in the recollection of the moment. 

To put the emphasis on the memory of moment is to take the emphasis off of Christ and his promise; it is to turn to faith inward instead of outward, to turn from Christ and the gospel promise.  

Source:
Daniel Deutschlander, in Grace Abounds: The Splendor of Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 7532-7534). Northwestern Publishing House. Kindle Edition.