Results of "The New Birth"
by Jack Van Impe
One can only be "born again" or "from above" if his theological concept of Christ is accurate. First John 5:1 states, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.... What a power-filled statement.
"Why?" you ask.
Because Jesus means "Saviour" (see Matthew 1:21) and Christ means "Sent One." Therefore, one must believe that the Saviour is the "Sent One" or a "born again" experience becomes impossible. Involved in the terminology, "Sent One," is the eternal deity of Christ. One must believe that He always existed, yea was the preexistent God, the second member of the Trinity. One must believe that He was.. from everlasting (Micah 5:2) and was "sent" to earth to inhabit a blood-filled body to die for sinners. That's why Galatians 4:4 states, But when the fullness of time was come [the time for God's plan to be enacted, see Revelation 13:8, God SENT [not created, but SENT forth his Son.... If He sent Him, Christ preexisted, for one cannot be sent if he is nonexistent.
Now this "Sent One" came to Bethlehem's manger to die upon Calvary's tree. Yes, [He took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:7,8). No other Christ suffices. He must be the virgin born, blood covered; resurrected God-man or salvation is impossible. Believing this and receiving Him makes one "born of God." This in turn produces three results.
Holiness
First, the birth by the Spirit produces holiness. First John 3:9 declares, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Greek scholars teach that the word commit should be translated "practice. "This is so because a Christian may still slip or do wrong. Believers still have fleshly natures until the day of redemption. Then Christ "raptures" our old "vile bodies" into His presence (see Philippians 3:20).
Presently, this old nature is constantly at war with the newly produced nature received at salvation. Paul described the battle in Romans 7 and also in Galatians 5:17. He says, . . . the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that [you] cannot do the thing that [you] would. However, victory through the indwelling Spirit is possible for verse 16 states, Walk in the Spirit, and [you] shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
It must be obvious to all Christians that there is a constant battle to be fought. Paul wasn't whistling in the wind when he said, I have fought a good fight... (2 Timothy 4:7. He knew the danger of egotistically shouting, "I could never do wrong." for he again declared in 1 Corinthians 10:12. ...let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
We see, then, that it is possible for any child of God to commit sin but impossible for the genuine believer to live a life of sin. This is true because his seed [the Holy Spirit] remaineth in him: and he cannot [practice] sin, because he is BORN OF GOD (1 John 3:9). When one is truly saved, Christ and the Holy Spirit enter one's heart and life simultaneously. That's right, ... if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of [Christ's] (Romans 8:9). This blessed Spirit, living within the believer, becomes "grieved" (see Ephesians 4:30) and "quenched" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19) when the smallest infraction of God's commands occurs. The Spirit's grief, in turn, becomes the believer's heartache as he feels what the internally dwelling Spirit experiences. This elucidates our previously discussed text which says, Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed [the Holy Spirit] remaineth in him: and he cannot [practice] sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9).
Let's go a step farther. If one is miserable over sin but continues to walk in disobedience to God, the offender gets a spiritual spanking. Hebrews 12:5-8 declares, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth EVERY SON whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you, as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
This spiritual spanking, administered to 'every son" (verse 6), yea "all" disobedient 'children" (verse 8), is for one purpose and one purpose only. …that we might be partakers of his HOLINESS (verse 10). We see, then, that it is God's supreme desire that His children live holy lives. This is in accordance with their "new birth" experience. Salvation produces holiness. Second Timothy 1:9 states, [God] hath SAVED us, and CALLED us with an HOLY calling.... Again, .. .God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto HOLINESS (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
That's why Romans 6:4 states that we have been raised unto ...NEWNESS of life, and why 2 Corinthians 5:17 adds, … if ANY MAN be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS are become NEW. This is a direct result of receiving Christ. Let me explain this truth with an analogy of the physical birth. When one is born, he receives the nature of each parent. The mixture of the genes means that both parents' traits are combined in their co-mingled product. The mean, grumpy nature comes from dad, and the "sugar and spice and everything nice" traits from mom—to hear some ladies tell it! Ha! The combining of the two natures within the finished product results from "human generation."
Likewise, when one is 'born from above," or "born of the Spirit," he receives God's nature through REGENERATION (see Titus 3:5). As the child received the nature of his parents through generation, the believer receives the nature of God through regeneration. This is what makes holiness possible. Since one has become a partaker of the divine nature (see 2 Peter 1:4) and since God is holy (see 1 Peter 1:16), the nature of God within the newly formed "babe in Christ" is divine and holy.
It certainly does not take any ingenuity to see that God within produces holy living. HIS HOLINESS rubs off and must be reflected in His children. The Bible commands this holiness of life through conversion. ...[you] shall be holy, for I am holy... (Leviticus 11:44).... thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God... (Deuteronomy 7:6). They shall be called Thy holy people, The redeemed of the Lord... (Isaiah 62:12). Paul pleads with the people of God to walk according to their standing, saying, . . .yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Romans 6:19).
The Apostle was concerned because he wanted all of God's people to share the joyous hour when Christ presents us holy and unblamable (see Colossians 1:22). Colossians 3:12 informs believers that they, as the election of God, are holy and beloved. They are ...holy brethren... (Hebrews 3:1). Elected to such a high calling, we are to, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). One's holy walk and talk proves that genuine salvation has occurred.
Strange, is it not, that denominations who push "election" the hardest are usually the cocktail-sipping, tobacco-sucking crowd. Beloved, election is unto holiness! He chose us ...in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be HOLY... (Ephesians 1:4). Preaching and teaching about "predestination" and "election" is naught but empty platitudes and vain repetition if the life of holiness is missing. In other words—pardon my grammatical error—you ain't got it! Why? Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Now back to the original premise. Genuine believers may slip and fall, but they do not remain in the mud of sin for months and years. The apostle John harmoniously ties the two teachings, already considered, together by saying, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. However, He that [practices] sin is of the devil... (1 John 1:8 and 3:8). Make the distinction God does, and the pieces of the puzzle fit the picture.
In the light of what has just been discussed, let's consider the outcome of practicing sin. Multitudes think that walking an aisle, signing a card, and sending one's photograph for baptism constitutes a salvation experience. Soothed and salved by such religious pilgrimages to the altar or prayer room, they continue the practice of every abominable degradation known.
Regardless of their decadent lifestyle, all is well because once-upon-a time they made a beeline to the altar. Unfortunately, all they gained by it was "exercise," not an "experience." The "move" made, the practicing sinners rest in an unexperienced experience and they will die as unconverted converts. How deceived they are! How sad they will be at the judgment when Christ cries, I NEVER knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:23).
As I preach such convicting truth I realize that some sin-laden worldlings are angry. They are crying, Christian liberty, Christian liberty." Ah, but Christian liberty is never a driver's license to steer one's life into the pathways of sin! Others lament, "We are under grace and thus are able to do anything and everything. "Ah, but grace does not allow for a lifetime of disgrace! The 'Apostle of grace" dogmatically teaches this.
Strange as it may seem to some, Paul's "grace message concerning sin is identical to John's "legalistic" discourse about iniquity. Why not? God wrote all of the Bible. He used Paul, John, and others—even their personalities and vocabularies—but He guided every word into place (2 Peter 1:2 1). As a result, Paul, as well as John, makes it clear that one cannot love sin, desire sin chase sin, live in sin, and check into a sinless heaven. Though any Christian can commit any sin at any time, Paul nevertheless concludes that there must be evidence of a "new nature" constantly battling against an "old nature" if one has been born again. No evidence—no experience with God! It's that simple.
This is so because the Spirit of God becomes "grieved" (see Ephesians 4:30) and "quenched" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19) when believers sin. The believer, in turn, shares the grief produced by the indwelling Spirit. Then, if he continues in sin, he is "spanked" spiritually (see Hebrews 12:5) and may "die" prematurely (see 1 John 5:16), going home "ashamed" (see 1 John 2:28) and suffering the loss of all rewards—being saved ...as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15). It is foolish, therefore, to teach that Paul's "grace" proclamation allows one to live in sin.
If, at this point, one is still unconvinced, Paul's following warnings should settle it once, for all, and forever. Hear him in 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not [SHALL NOT. That's right, shall not!] inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators [premarital sex experimenters and "trial marriage" proponents] nor idolators. nor adulterers [extramarital fingers and swingers] nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [homosexuals], Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards [social tipplers who tipple one too many], nor revilers. nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul again warns in Ephesians 5:3-7, But fornication [premarital sex], and all uncleanness, or covetousness [love of materialism and filthy lucre], let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints: Neither filthiness. Nor foolish talking. nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this [you] KNOW, that no whore monger [immoral sex practitioner], nor unclean person [smutty jokester] nor the covetous man, who is an idolater [money lover], hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [None? None!] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things [sins] cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. No doubt about it. Depraved, debauched, decadent practitioners of sin inhabit the lake of fire for all eternity (see Revelation 21:8).
One more judgmental alarm is sounded by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21. He says, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past. that they which do such things SHALL NOT [What? SHALL NOT!] inherit the kingdom of God. Such grammar is so simplistic and understandable that further comment is unnecessary. It all convincingly says, He that practiceth sin is of the devil.
Does all this mean, then, that practicing sinners have no hope? Perish the thought! God loves sinners and sent His Son to Calvary's cross to shed His blood for a world of wicked inhabitants. This blood, which flowed so freely from a love-filled Saviour, cleanseth from ALL sin (see 1 John 1:7). Because of it, a great number of Corinthians described in 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 as fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners were eternally forgiven as verse 11 proves. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus , and by the Spirit of our God. This is what the "second birth" did for them and will do for you today if you receive Christ. Remember, ...whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
Victory
The second effect of the "born again" experience is victory. First John 5:4,5 states, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the VICTORY that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world. but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Notice carefully that victory is accomplished through Christ-not self. Multitudes strive to overcome sin and temptation, but the flesh has no power to win the battle. The overcomer is ... he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God . ...Christ in you... (Colossians 1:27) makes the difference. He promotes the desire for victory and provides the strength.
Paul knew this well. After describing the duel of the two natures-the old received at birth and new received at conversion-he cries, ...if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the SPIRIT do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:13.14). Then, having allowed God's Spirit to equip him for life's battle, he victoriously said as death approached, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day... (2 Timothy 4:7).
The new nature, controlled by the Spirit, makes believers ...more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37). What do they conquer? First John 2:15-17 answers the question. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. It is obvious, then, that they overcome the world or worldliness consisting of: A) the lust of the flesh, B) the lust of the eyes, and C) the pride of life. Let's consider these three items individually.
The lust of the flesh concerns itself with the cravings of one's bodily appetites. This includes illicit sex, drinking, drug addiction, smoking, or any other vice that the flesh practices. I am not preaching perfection. Christians can slip and fall, but that is vastly different from becoming enslaved to fleshly lusts.
The problem is not one's possession of an old nature, but the old nature's possession of a person. The latter means that one has not been "born again," for "regeneration" endows one with a "divine nature" (see 2 Peter 1:4), which immediately begins an onslaught against the old corrupt flesh. When one never experiences victory, it becomes obvious that the new nature is missing, for the "new birth" is not a new label on a defiled product but the implantation of the divine nature which changes one instantaneously.
That's why 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, ...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Enslavement to sin points to an empty profession-just lip service-and leads one into helplessness for the ages of eternity, for ... the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:17).
Where do you stand? Are you a daily "overcomer" through the power of the indwelling Spirit? Or are you a slave to lust? Remember, if there is no desire for victory, no quest for victory, no evidence of victory, there will be no victory celebration in heaven.
Next, we discover that this new nature helps one to have victory over the cravings of the mind through the eye gate. Lust, via the eyes, is one of the greatest promoters of immorality today. This is why pornography and abominable sex movies are destroying lives, homes, and nations. Millions presently have ...eyes full of adultery...that cannot cease from sin (2 Peter 2:14). They mentally undress every woman they see and vice-versa. They purchase the latest sex magazines, hide them among their possessions, and secretly read them. They gaze at nude pictures and commit mental adultery with naked paper dolls.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, ... whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already IN HIS HEART. This is what's wrong with Hollywood productions. This is why much of television's degrading influence should be opposed and stopped. Americans are becoming sex maniacs because of the manifold means created to produce excitation and lust. It is even affecting church members by the tens of thousands. Scores are walking the aisles in crusades to give up the sin which has plagued them-lustful eyes. How much farther will it go?
Once I saw a four-foot picture of a naked woman hanging in a deacon's garage. I asked, "Brother, aren't you a Christian and a deacon?" He meekly answered, "Yes." I pointed to his picture and said, "What's that?" He said, "Art. " I said, "Art who?" This actually happened! Though it appears humorous now, it won't be funny later.
A day is coming when all lust-controlled sinners shall be eternally separated from God. First John 2:17 declares, ... the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Is it any wonder that Romans 13:14 states, ...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. And 1 Peter 2:11 warns, ...abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Someone cries, "That's easier said than done." Not if one depends upon the indwelling Spirit rather than self! Galatians 5:16 proves it. Walk in the SPIRIT, and [you] shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Another area over which one may enjoy victory is one's ego. This has to do with haughty, arrogant boasting over one's accomplishments and gains. How often one hears church members egotistically saying, "We are now a three car family," or "We are considering the purchase of our $150,000 dream home," or "We have investments in stocks, bonds, and banks and are sitting pretty, financially."
Jesus said, ...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and ... by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:34 and 37). Small wonder that James 4:4 warns, ...know ye not that the friendship of the world [composed of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life] is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the ENEMY [Yes, the ENEMY] of God. Therefore, Paul pleads in Romans 12:2, ...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind .... The ways of the world lead to doom and death. About-face for Christ!
Love
The third and final proof has to do with love. First John 4:7,8 states, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
May I repeat that? Are you listening? The statement is so important that one's eternal existence in heaven or hell depends on it. Hear it again. He that loveth not knoweth not God... (1 John 4:8).
First John 3:14 declares, We know [not hope, guess or think-but know] that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. The next verse says, Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and (you) know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (verse 15). Think of it! This is astonishing. Hatred becomes murder in God's eyes, and no murderer (hater of others) has eternal life abiding in him.
A life of hate classifies one as a "child of the devil," for God says in 1 John 3:10: In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. Imagine! Folks who fight, fuss, bicker, backbite, gossip, slander, malign, and criticize others are children of the devil! One cannot live a life of hate when God abides within, for "God is love." Love is the evidence of one's "born again" experience. So,... if we love one another, God dwelleth in us... (1 John 4:12). That's why Jesus said in John 13:35, By this shall all men know that [you] are my disciples, [because] you have LOVE one for another.
Sad, is it not, that hate-mongers who honestly believe that bigotry, prejudice, and malice are acceptable standards for church members fill the ranks of religion. What a shock they'll experience at the judgment day! Then they'll know God meant what He said in James 1:26, If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Then they'll suffer judgment for the seven sins God hates. Perhaps these should be called the "Seven Deadly Sins." They are, a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and [please get the final one] HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD AMONG THE BRETHREN (Proverbs 6:16-19). Then when it is eternally too late, they will discover that the unrighteous, including "railers," do not inherit the kingdom of God (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Webster's Dictionary defines railers as "individuals who revile or scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language." God help us! Our ranks are full of members who carry on in this manner. Through their obnoxious, hateful insolence, churches are split and souls lost. Sinner, repent, change your mind and ways before it is too late! You need a "born again" experience! When this occurs, God's nature of love will become a part of you and His love will rule your heart.
Summary
We have concluded in this study that holiness, victory, and love prove one's salvation experience to be genuine. Where do you stand? Examine yourself to see whether or not you are in the faith (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). If the evidence is against you, settle the issue with God immediately. Eternity forever and forever and forever-is a long time to be lost!