Spirit of Adoption

ROM.  8:14-17

THEME: the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer’s life by enabling him to overcome the power of the old sin nature.  This sanctifying activity of the Spirit can only be experienced as we realize our spiritual wealth and then consistently make withdrawals from our spiritual accounts.

INTRODUCTION:

Through the work of the Holy Spirit we have a wealth of help for living the Christian life to the satisfaction of our Father in Heaven.  By realizing Who we are—believers, and accounting Who we have—the Holy Spirit, and then accepting the reality of our new position—mature sons by adoption, we now have enough spiritual wealth to live a successful Christian life. We must take full account of what it means then to be placed in the position of an adult son of God.  This is part of the key to victory over the flesh.

Being adopted in the NT sense can be compared to receiving a promotion that offers new privileges and responsibilities that one did not have prior to that promotion.  For instance when a common laborer becomes an asst. foreman or a solider becomes an NCO or when an NCO becomes a Senior NCO, even when an NCO becomes a Warrant Officer or a Commissioned Officer.  The NEW POSITION offers power, latitude, privilege, opportunities and responsibilities that one did not previously enjoy.  These privileges of course encourage his success in the new position. This is very similar to what NT adoption is like and we can be successful because of our POSITION as ADULT SONS of God.

LESSON:  WE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION  

Romans 8:14-16, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

          A.  THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP   VS 14

Rom 8:14, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We have learned that we have the Spirit living us; we have the Spirit.  Therefore we realize that every Believer has the potential to live the Christ-like life.  In the Spirit, God gave us all the equipment that we will ever need.  Then we learned that it is just as important that the Spirit have us!  Only then can He share with us the abundant, victorious life that can be ours in Christ.  We have no obligations to the flesh, because the flesh has brought us nothing but trouble.  We do have a moral obligation to the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who convicted us, revealed Christ to us, and imparted eternal life to us when we trusted Christ.  He is the sanctifier in the Christian’s life; He is the means of victory over the flesh.  The truth of this verse is that the Holy Spirit leads us into the sanctification experience as we “yield” and willingly follow Him!

The pillar of fire and the cloud that lead the children of Israel toward Canaan, are a picture of the sanctified life, after their redemption (Passover) out of Egyptian bondage.  The Spirit was leading them and he wants to lead us!

          B.  THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE     VS 15

Rom. 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Many Christians are more motivated by fear and punishment, instead of a love and appreciation for our Savior and Lord.  We learn once again from these verses that this attitude is inconsistent with the life lead by the Spirit.

                    1.  The Spirit of Bondage is the Life of  Servitude Under the Law.  The Bible is teaching us that we are not like “minor children” under the authority of a Master, the Law.  We are not “servants” or “slaves” under a harsh rule and inapproachable standards of the law, dreading and fearing failure and death.  Instead we are adopted sons with no obligations to the law and no fear of its penalties.

                    2.  This Bondage/Slavery and Servitude of a “Minor Child” is Also Referred to as being “kept under the law” and  “Shut up” Under the General Supervision of a School Master, the Law.

Gal 3:22-24, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (“Kept under”= an inferior position or condition, hence “minor children” who have not been adopted by their Roman parents into sonship.  They are merely “servants.”)    (“Shut up”= "to shut together, shut in on all sides"; God shut all humanity in under sin—Jews and Gentiles alike) 24, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

                        a. “School Master”= Instructor (vs 24) :   Not the Impartation of Knowledge as a Teacher or Tutor.  The School Master was not the instructor of the child; he exercised a general supervision over him and was responsible for his moral and physical well-being.  This is what the Law did for Israel, through the Wilderness and during the Occupation of the Land of Israel where some Canaanites stilled lived.

                        b. “Shut Up”= Inclose (vs 23):    sunkleio ^4788^, "to shut together, shut in on all sides".  Is used of a catch of fish, ; metaphorically in , of God's dealings with Jew and Gentile, in that He has "shut up (KJV, concluded) all unto disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all."

In ("the Scripture hath shut up all things under sin"), the apostle shows that, by the impossibility of being justified by keeping the Law, all, Jew and Gentile, are under sin, so that righteousness might be reckoned to all who believe.

                       c. Once We Believe On Christ We Are Delivered From This Bondage, Servitude/ Slavery and Fear of the Law and then Adopted and placed as “Adult Sons” in God’s Family.

Gal. 3:23, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25, But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26, For ye are all the [sons] children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Rom 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Believers are not under this Spirit of Bondage and Fear!  Therefore, we have no obligations to the Law, its Penalties, or to the Flesh life by which people tried to keep the Law. We are set free to enjoy the privileges of being an Adult Son of God! God’s Spirit always leads us into greater freedom and never back into bondage and grueling servitude.  We should examine what our attitudes are concerning God’s word, work and way.  Is it like obligation or is it like being set free to please God and satisfy His will?  Are we still being motivated primarily by fear and punishment as Believers or are we driven by a love and passion for our Lord and Savior?

          C.  THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION    VS 15

Rom. 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

                 1.  We Have Received the Spirit of Adoption

Adoption in the NT is really not the same as in our modern society—to take a child of other parents as your own.

“Regeneration has to do with our change in Nature; Justification, with our change in Standing; Sanctification, with our change in Character; adoption with our change in Position.  In Regeneration the Believer becomes a Child of God (Jn. 1:12, 13); in Adoption, the Believer already a child, receives a place as an adult son; thus the child becomes a son, the minor becomes an adult (Gal. 4:1-7).”—William Evans

                         a. By the New Birth We Were Regenerated and Received God’s Nature (Jn. 1:13; Tit 3:5; 1Pet. 1:23)

                         b. By the Act of Adoption We Receive a Position by being “Placed as an Adult Son” this is the meaning of Adoption.  We are not brought into God’s ‘household’ as ‘Servants’ and ‘Slaves’ but Sons.

“...God adopts us and gives us the position of adult sons.  A baby cannot walk , talk, make decisions, nor draw on the family’s wealth.  But the Believer can do all these things the instant he is born again.”—WW Wiersbe

In other words we don’t have to wait to grow up before we can enjoy the Christian life nor do we have to wait until we can understand the whole Bible before we began to follow the Holy Spirits leadership in our lives.  We are established as Adults capable of getting victory over the flesh immediately after the new birth!

                         c. The Holy Spirit Regenerates Us Into the Family of God and then He Immediately Adopts Us or Places us into the Position of a Mature Son of God. In addition to this it is the Person of the Holy Spirit who makes us conscious of our sonship and its associated dignity. He imparts to us the Spiritual Instinct to call God Father!  He also helps us realize our freedom from the Bondage and Condemnation of the Law.

Rom. 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

                 2.  We Now Have Privileges as Adult Sons of God

Rom. 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

                             a. The Privilege is That We Can Conduct Ourselves As Adults and We Are Not Restrained to the Dexterity of Infancy.  We can “cry, Abba Father!”

Wouldn’t it be amazing if a tiny little infant looked up at his dad and said, Hi Pop!  Or maybe address him with another term of endearment, like Abba Father!  A baby cannot talk, sign checks, but the child of God by faith can draw on his spiritual wealth as an heir of God and joint heir with Christ!  We are in a position of victory over the flesh as Sons of God! (Wiersbe)

Every believer enjoys a special relationship carrying the privileges of one who has reached the maturity of manhood.

                                            1.  The Privilege of Intimacy towards the Father—Rom. 8:15

                                            2.  The Privilege of and Inheritance with Christ—Rom. 8:17

                                            3.  The Privilege of Illumination by the Spirit—Rom. 8:14, 16

                             b. With This Privilege Comes the Responsibility of Honoring Your Father!  Live up to the Family’s reputation, you have a senior Brother, Jesus Christ as an Example!  Don’t dishonor your Father’s good name.  Secondly, we should consistently “cry Abba Father.”  The word “Cry” can mean a loud spontaneous emotional cry  and it can refer to praise in public worship and certainly calling on the Father in private devotion.  All in all this is the attitude and full assurance of being a Son of God as opposed to a servant still under the Law and filled with uncertainty and fear in relation to the Law’s demands. 

                                             1.  We Should Be Lead By the Spirit   Gal. 5:18

                                             2.  We Should Have a Childlike Confidence and Assurance in our Father-God   Gal. 4:5,6

                                              3.  We Should Love the Brethren   1John 2:9-11; 5:1

                                              4.  We Should Be Obedient Sons     1Jn. 5:1-3

          D.  THE SPIRIT OF WITNESS   VS 16-17

Rom 8:16-17, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

                1.  The Holy Spirit Bears Witness Along Side Our Own Human Spirit that We Are The Sons of God.  The OT required the testimony of at least two witnesses to establish a testimony.  We see an illustration of this concept in the trial of our Lord before the Sanhedrin when they finally secured two false witnesses against the Lord Jesus in Matt. 26:59-65.  The concept seems to have carried over to the NT period after the Lord’s ascension.  (Heb. 10:28; 1Tim. 5:19; 2Cor. 13:1; 1Cor. 14:29)

Therefore our own spirit now quickened and alive to God witness to the truth that we are God’s Sons and the witness of the Holy Spirit joining our spirit as the testimony of two witnesses that we are God’s Sons.  This is great assurance and comfort.

                   2.  The Holy Spirit Accomplishes This Primarily With the Word of God.

As a Christian studies the Bible the Spirit will confirm the reality of his Sonship/ salvation on the basis of faith in Christ.  He seems to say from the Scriptures that the Believer is indeed saved and secure and constantly reassuring us of victory over the flesh.

CONCLUSION:

The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer’s life by enabling him to overcome the power of the old sin nature. This sanctifying activity of the Spirit can only be experienced as we realize our spiritual wealth and then consistently make withdrawals from our spiritual accounts.

Let us not live like poverty stricken beggars when we have a spiritual account in the Holy Spirit to enable us to be successful or victorious over the Flesh!  

Safe & Secure In God's Love

John 6:26-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:35-39

Is it true the love of God is the safest place for our never-dying souls? Should Christians have confidence that they will indeed be with God forever in Heaven? Is it correct to worry for one’s entire ‘Christian’ life about the lingering possibility of messing up and ending up in Hell? Which is more important the sovereignty of God or the free-will of humanity? I believe the Scriptures teach God desires for every Believer to know we presently possess eternal life as a consequence of God’s saving grace (Eph. 2:8, 9; 1Jn. 5:13). In addition every genuine Believer can be assured of eternal security because of the great preserving love of God (Rom. 8:28-39). God’s love gives His children perfect security in salvation. Please read on and I will attempt to demonstrate this from the Word.

If we are to experience real joy, confidence, and divine peace in our Christian experience, we must grasp the truth of eternal life in Christ Jesus. It is impossible to regard the Christian life as “abundant life” if we are not even certain we will be with God forever! Beloved, God did not design the salvation He offers to torment and fill us with doubts, fears, and spiritual anxiety. When we are insecure in the love and grace of God, we naturally will resort to “working to earn” or “keep” our salvation. We will serve in order to be saved or to remain saved, which is a gross violation of God’s salvation by grace rooted in His love and mercy. Yes, we do have a free will, but at no point will our powers of choice negate God’s gift of saving grace. Grace, divine favor, can never be earned, merited, or deserved! We must resist the temptations spiritual insecurity may drive us to by embracing the full truth about the brand of salvation God offers and gives. As a result we will know peace, and joy deep within because our souls rest in God’s eternal work on our behalf. As always the Scriptures taught by the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth on this matter.

Where Is Eternal Security in The Bible? (John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:35-39)

First consider the promise of the Lord Jesus with regards to His Sheep and how safe they are in the Father’s hand.

 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-30 KJV).

To gain a sound working understanding of these incredible verses and this promise of eternal security consider the commentary of William MacDonald.

These next few verses teach in unmistakable terms that no true sheep of Christ will ever perish. The eternal security of the believer is a glorious fact. Those who are true sheep of Christ hear His voice. They hear it when the gospel is preached, and they respond by believing on Him. Thereafter, they hear His voice day by day and obey His Word. The Lord Jesus knows His sheep. He knows each one by name. Not even one will escape His attention. No one could be lost through an oversight or carelessness on His part. Christ’s sheep follow Him, first by exercising saving faith in Him, then by walking with Him in obedience. 

Christ gives eternal life to His sheep. This means life that will last forever. It is not life that is conditional on their behavior. It is eternal life, and that means everlasting. But eternal life is also a quality of life. It is the life of the Lord Jesus Himself. It is a life that is capable of enjoying the things of God down here, and a life that will be equally suitable to our heavenly home. Note these next words carefully. “They shall never perish.” If any sheep of Christ ever perished, then the Lord Jesus would have been guilty of failing to keep a promise, and this is not possible. Jesus Christ is God, and He cannot fail. He has promised in this verse that no sheep of His will ever spend eternity in hell.

Does this mean then that a person may be saved and then live the way he pleases? Can he be saved and then carry on in the sinful pleasures of this world? No, he no longer desires to do these things. He wants to follow the Shepherd. We do not live the Christian life in order to become a Christian or in order to retain our salvation. We live a Christian life because we are Christians. We desire to live a holy life, not out of fear of losing our salvation, but out of gratitude to the One who died for us. The doctrine of eternal security does not encourage careless living, but rather is a strong motive for holy living. 

No one is able to snatch a believer out of Christ’s hand. His hand is almighty. It created the world; and it even now sustains the world. There is no power that can snatch a sheep from His grasp.
Not only is the believer in the hand of Christ; he is in the Father’s hand as well. This is a twofold guarantee of safety. God the Father is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch a believer out of the Father’s hand. (MacDonald, W., 1995, Believer’s Bible Commentary)

The spiritual security of genuine Believers in Christ Jesus is soundly rooted in the love and grace of God according to Romans chapter 8. Note what the Apostle Paul wrote,

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:35–39 KJV)

God is saying in the clearest terms that NOTHING can break His salvation-relationship with His people. The hardnesses, poverty, dangerous situations, persecutions, and even if our physical lives are taken away, these threats are still powerless to sever us from the grand love of God. As we experience any or all of these challenges, we are assured God has not and will not abandon us. There is nothing about death, life itself, angelic creatures including Satan, and anything else that can remove us from God's love for us in Christ. We are totally secure in the love of God and such assurance does not breed careless living. Eternal security does not encourage fleshly carnal living at all. This truth should not be rejected for this reason because nowhere in the Bible does God ever sanction godless, sinful, or rebellious living. As a biblical truth, eternal security frees us to explore all the will of God with complete confidence in our God and Heavenly Father.

What Is Eternal Security? 

Eternal security is the belief that genuine Christians will always be saved.

A.     It is for Genuine Christians. 
Every true Christian has times or instances of unfaithfulness, sin, deviation, reluctance, rebellion, and barrenness.  It is during those times that we are in danger of losing assurance of salvation. This because the blessings of peace and confidence from the Spirit are forfeited, and He moves into conviction mode. Security of salvation is eternal and permanent, being based on the Lord’s sovereign power to keep those who belong to Him. It in no way rests upon our ability to continue to live sinlessly or perfectly. But assurance of salvation is temporal and can fluctuate, for it is a blessing granted to those who are obedient to the Lord.
However, as soon as a sinner receives Christ as Savior, he or she possesses full, unending salvation. To have Christ is to have a secure position before God (1 Jn. 5:10-13). Salvation is God's work on our behalf, not our efforts to earn or deserve salvation. Though the Bible does not use the term “security” to describe the believer’s relationship in Christ, it leaves no doubt that the child of God is eternally safe in Christ. Eternal security refers only to those who are born again through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, The Son of God. It does not refer to pretenders/hypocrites or to those who are merely dabbling in Christianity. The only people who are safe and secure in the love of God as those He has actually saved. It does not include those who merely think they are saved. It does not matter how sincere or committed an individual is; multitudes are sincerely wrong and extremely committed to wrong ideas, traditions, religious movements, and lies. 

B.     It is Dependent Upon God’s Actions.  The Bible is abundantly clear that no person who comes to God in repentance and faith will ever be separated from the Savior. On what does salvation depend?God’s Power.  First of all, we are secure because of the power of God.  “I give unto them eternal life,” Jesus says of His sheep, “and they shall never perish; neither shall any many pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28; 6:39). As if His own divine assurance were not enough, He added, “My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand” (10:29). True believers are safe and secure in the powerful and capable hands of Almighty God and Christ!
      Christ’s Promise and Prayer.  Second, we are secure because of the promise and prayers of Christ. In His high priestly prayer shortly before His arrest, He said to His Father, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12; 18:9). He told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31–32). Because Jesus intercedes for us in heaven today, believers “have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1), our Great High Priest, who “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). God will always answer the prayers of the Lord Jesus positively!
      The Spirit’s Presence.  Third, we are secure because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is “the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession, unto the praise of His glory.  [He is] “the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye [we] are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 1:13–14; 4:30). He is the other Comforter, whom Christ sent to “abide with you [us] forever” (John 14:16) after His ascension to the Father. Every genuine Believer has recieved the Spirit of God to indwell us for always. 
      God’s Preservation.  The whole Trinity secures believers, so that no one who believes in the Lord will ever be lost. God preserves His people from eternal damnation. However serious the sin we may fall into, we will never sin ourselves out of God’s kingdom. This truth does not encourage lazy Christianity. No, it inspires devotion and love for God that issues into righteous expression and service to God. Gladly and without shame Paul endured great suffering for his Lord, because, he said, “I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep [guard] that which I have committed [entrusted] unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). “The Lord shall deliver [rescue] me from every evil work,” he testified in closing that letter, “and will preserve me [bring me safely] unto His heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 1, 24). God's preservation of Paul was not unique to him; it is afforded to every genuine Christian. 

C.     It is an Issue of Much Debate. One of the standard questions for theological debate over the last two thousand years has been whether or not a Christian could lose his salvation. Some passages have been misinterpreted to suggest one can lose his salvation, and others declare clearly that one cannot. It is a delicate matter and challenging task to reconcile all these apparently contradictory passages.  As a result, Protestant Christianity has historically been divided between the two views represented by John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius.

1.       Calvinism: One group, including those called “Calvinists,” after John Calvin, a leader of the Protestant reformation in the 1500s, believe that a person who is genuinely saved cannot lose his salvation. He may “backslide” for a time into sinful behavior, but he will never be lost, since our salvation came through the grace of God in the first place. This position often is stated as “once saved, always saved,” or “once a Christian, always a Christian.” (Anders)

2.       Arminianism: Another group, including those called Arminians, after the 16th century Dutch theologian, Jacobus Arminius, believed that it is possible to lose one's salvation. Most of these contend that those who lose their salvation can regain it, although some in the past contended that they cannot.

D.     It is A Crystal Clear Biblical Teaching.

1.       The passages that support eternal security are clear in their teaching.

                                                                  i.   Such Scripture include John 10:27–30, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. 29, My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. 30, I and My Father are one.

                                                                 ii.   This is one of the clearest statements in the Bible that one who believes in Jesus for salvation will never be lost. Believers sin and stumble, but Jesus as the perfect Shepherd loses none of His flock (see Luke 22:31-32). Eternal life is a gift (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:10; Rom 6:23). If one has it, he has it eternally. They shall never perish is a strong affirmation…("they will indeed not ever perish"; cf. John 3:16, …"never perish"). The security of the sheep is found in the ability of the Shepherd to defend and preserve His flock. Such security does not depend on the ability of the frail sheep. No one can even snatch His sheep out of His hand. –Bible Knowledge Commentary

                                                               iii.   This seems to be a clear statement that once a person has been given to Christ by God, he is eternally secure with Christ.

2.       This eternal security position is bolstered by Romans 8:35–39:

                                                            i.      Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                           ii.      If no one can successfully oppose us (v. 31), charge us (v. 33), or condemn us (v. 34) with regard to our personal relationship with God, then it follows that no one can separate us from Christ’s love for us [8:35]. The list in this verse covers the full range of experiences that could seem to pose a challenge to the reality of Christ’s love.…The trials and difficulties listed in v. 35 not only do not separate us from Christ’s love, they make us more than conquerors by forcing us to depend even more on God. …8:38, 39, Absolutely nothing can separate believers from God’s love. The apostle struggles for words to describe the absolute certainty of God’s love for believers. Nothing hard or dangerous, neither death nor life, can separate us. If God, the uncreated One, is for us, and no created thing can separate us, then our security in Him is absolute.—Nelson Study Bible

                                                         iii.      Instead of separating us from Christ’s love, these things only succeed in drawing us closer to Him. We are not only conquerors, but more than conquerors.  It is not simply that we triumph over these formidable forces, but that in doing so we bring glory to God, blessing to others, and good to ourselves. We make slaves out of our enemies and stepping stones out of our roadblocks.

But all of this is not through our own strength, but only through Him who loved us. Only the power of Christ can bring sweetness out of bitterness, strength out of weakness, triumph out of tragedy, and blessing out of heartbreak. –Believer's Bible Commentary

                                                         iv.      Other passages that reinforce this perspective are Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:29, 11:29; Ephesians 1:13–14; Hebrews 7:25-26, 9:12-15, 26; 10:9-10, 14-18; and 1 Peter 1:5.

E.     It is a Solid Theologically Position. In addition to these Scripture passages, there is also the logical (theological) argument that goes along with them.

1.      When a person is born again, he is spiritually reborn through a work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:8 states that this salvation is not a work of ourselves, but is a gift of God. We are given a new spirit “which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

2.       Our experience of righteousness and holiness are not yet perfected, however. Even genuinely reborn believers still must fight against a residue of sin remaining in us. Romans 7:19–20 says that “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Nevertheless, this sin in the true believer never can cancel the gift of life and peace with God given freely because of Jesus. Based on this truth, the apostle Paul triumphantly declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (8:1).

3.       How, then, could one lose his salvation, since that would require regeneration in reverse—degeneration into death again, slipping from a position that we did not attain ourselves anyway, but which God gave us? “For if, when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10). This simply reinforces Romans 8:29, “For whom He did foreknow, He also predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

God’s love gives His children assurance and security in salvation. This is the biblical position without any questions or doubt. Every Believer in Christ Jesus needs to know this so that we all can have confidence, joy, and peace in our Christian lives. The confidence, peace and spiritual joy that God designed for His people to know through faith in Him should be yours. The assurance that we are secure in God’s love is fundamental to the abundant life He wants to give us. There is absolutely NOTHING “abundant life” about worry and anxiety regarding whether or not we will go to heaven or hell.  Without any doubt if we do not believe we are secure in God’s love, we are likely to be tormented by doubts and fear, robbing us of our peace and joy in the Christian life. Beloved, this is not the plan and will of God.

The reason many Christians have historically been willing to die for their faith is the fact they were assured they would be with God in their death (Phil. 1:20-26). One of the reasons Christians have historically flung themselves into a dying world on the mission field is because they were secure in the love of God. They had no fears related to their eternal destiny. In the absence of such eternal security, we may become enslaved to a life of legalism, trying to keep our good works in sufficient supply so that we will not lose our salvation (Anders). They are always hoping to finally make it in. Some of these folks are tenaciously holding on to God so that they can finally be saved. You hear of them trying to press on because they do not want to finally be rejected by God because they messed up so badly. Some claim to believe they can lose their salvation, but they are still content to wallow in sin, discouragement, failure, defeat, and spiritual depression.  I have met people who have said, “I use to be saved.” I know folks who have said, “I wandered away from God during my youth…, but I am saved again now.” No, no, no, a thousand times no! God did not design the Christian life and experience so that its final and ultimate outcome depended on frail human beings. No, in His grace and motivated by His great love He saved us and will keep us always. We are secure in Him (Rom. 8:26-29; Phil. 1:6; Eph. 1:13, 14).

Drink this wonderful biblical truth in deeply and then live with abandon for the glory of God in the power of His Holy Spirit. Beloved, believe the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and your Heavenly Father. Examine these verses again closely and allow God's Word to persuade you of the truth. Become a student of the Holy Spirit and I promise you He will guide you into all truth. Christ Jesus is a complete Savior and He will keep you forever since you are His.

If you have not trusted Him as Savior I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. If you require further instructions about these all important matters, please consult the following articles. They will greatly assist you.

http://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/03/what-must-i-do-to-be-saved.html
http://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-philippian-jailers-salvation-ii.html
http://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/04/born-of-spirit-experiencing-new-birth.html

Born of the Spirit: Experiencing The New Birth

Born of the Spirit: Experiencing the New Birth

This article is a continuation of the previous one entitled “Born of the Spirit: What Is Wrong with My First Birth?” You may recall we explored how our fallen human nature directly contributes to our natural rebellion again God. Sin comes naturally for us even from the very beginning of our lives because we were born with the wrong spiritual father and nature. As such, we are not qualified to enter an eternal relationship with God because our first birth, physical, is from the wrong source, Adam. I realize that many people feel they are 'good people,' but the problem with that is we cannot do only good. We do not even live up to our own expectations on a daily basis. Can we manipulate ourselves into believing we have lived up to the PERFECT requirements of a holy God? We have a sin nature that is anti-God. It is not so much the individual sins that we commit, (though these are awful!) but the fact that we have a sinful orientation that drives us to indulge in the wrongs that so violently offends a holy God! 

In short we cannot embrace an eternal relationship with a righteous and perfect God in our natural fallen condition because we have the wrong father and the wrong nature. Unless God undertakes to change us, we are condemned forever to the Lake of Fire without any other recourse or hope for all eternity. This is why the new birth through faith in Jesus Christ is so vital to our spiritual welfare. Again, the Lord Jesus insisted that we must be born again. Now that we understand what is wrong with our first birth we need to concentrate on how to be born from the correct Source, the Divine Source—how to be Born of the Spirit.

FIRSTLY, BY ACCEPTING GOD’S PROVISION OF CHRIST SUFFERING

We must first understand that our spiritual birth was preceded by the travail of the Lord Jesus our Savior. Travail always precedes a natural child birth; the same is true regarding our spiritual new birth. In our text, John 3:14-18, Christ’s travail is focused on Calvary. Christ, in obedience to the Father’s will, experienced fantastic agony of spirit, soul, and body as He paid for our sin and secured our redemption.

The Natural Birth is Preceded by Great Physical Suffering; So it is with the Spiritual. No doubt we all have heard of precious wives who endured hours of hard labor to bring children into this world. Likewise, our great Savior travailed in an extraordinary manner as waves of agony flooded His righteous soul! He did not merely stroll up to the point of death; no, He raced straight in to seize our salvation. Greatly He suffered to make our new birth possible. Consider Doctor Luke’s description of some of our Lord’s travail in Luke 22:44, where he says, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Certainly, we recall reading about this as our Lord struggled in Gethsemane ultimately yielding Himself to satisfy the will of the Father. No, Calvary was not easy for our Lord Jesus, nor was the anticipation of it easy. He suffered in mind, spirit, soul, and body in excruciating ways we perhaps will never fully understand. The great prophet of Israel Isaiah says in Isaiah 53:11, that “He [The Father] shall see of the travail of his [Jesus] soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” Christ sufferings were not in vain; the Father saw it all and He was absolutely pleased with our Lord’s Sacrifice for our sins/iniquities. Certainly there was indescribable sorrow, travail, pain, and agonizing of soul as Christ suffered in Gethsemane, and as He writhed excruciatingly for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. We learn here that sin is an extremely hideous thing because it is so offensive to God. In fact, The Most High went to the absolute extremes to serve justice  and eradicate sin in Christ's suffering at Calvary. It was there God took sin upon Himself (in Christ) so that we could be freed of sin's penalty of eternal death--forever without God in Hell (John 3:16; Rom. 6:23).

The Savior’s Physical and Spiritual Sufferings Made the Spiritual Birth Possible. This important connection is made in John 3:13-15. The Son of Man, Jesus Christ, came from Heaven became human in order to die for the sins of all humanity—yes, his death has special importance. That significance had been “taught” by God throughout the national experiences of Israel, His people. To illustrate this, Jesus compared his coming death to a story well known to Nicodemus, because it was a rich part of their Jewish history (Anders).

An Illustration of God’s Provision for our Sin Problem is Submitted by our Lord Jesus. The account reaches back to Numbers 21:6-9, when the nation of Israel was wandering in the wilderness. Because of the people’s ingratitude and rebellion, God unleashed a wave of lethal snakes to discipline them. God, being so gracious, also offered the medicine for the poisonous snakebites—He directed Moses to erect a pole upon which he was to attach a bronze snake (Anders). Those bitten by the poisonous snakes could be healed by obeying God’s command to look up at the elevated bronze snake while believing that God would heal them. Their healing came when they looked upon this elevated (up lifted), bronze snake.

Our Lord Jesus used this occasion to paint a picture of his future redemptive work on the cross (John 3:14-17). To be lifted up in our Lord Jesus’ time—according to the usage in John (see 8:28; 12:32-34)—was a euphemism for death on the cross (the victim was literally lifted up above the earth—suspended between Heaven, Earth, and Hell—while impaled to a cross). Being lifted up or exalted also pointed to his anticipated glorification beyond Calvary (Anders). Christ upon Calvary is God’s provision for our extraordinarily lethal sin problem. If only we will look to Christ in faith, we will live indeed!

An Application of God’s Provision for Man’s Sin Problem is also Afforded by the Lord Jesus. Notice now how faithfully the Lord Jesus makes the transition to apply this truth to Nicodemus and us in John 3:15, where Christ says, “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Back in Numbers 21:6-9, the perishing Israelites looked upon the lifted-up snake and lived. Similarly, the new birth happens the instance we look up to Jesus, believing He will save us. God has provided this way for us to be healed of sin’s deadly bite. Look to Jesus and live is the admonition! The Israelites were spared their lives; the Believer in Jesus, who shed His blood suffering to pay for our sins, is spared eternal destruction in Hell and given eternal life.

Beloved, without this GREAT TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY SUFFERING there would be no possibility of a New Birth! Our Lord Jesus’ suffering on Calvary shedding His precious life's blood made the spiritual birth possible! Each individual must personally apply the value of His death and bloodshed to their own sin and life to be born again. It does not matter how good we think we are, we still need the Sacrifice of Christ as payment for our sinfulness. If perhaps you feel you have goon to far and sinned too much, I want to assure you also that Christ has already paid for every one of your sins. The question is will you receive His payment. God accepted it; why don't you accept it as well?  Look to Jesus Christ and live!

SECONDLY, BY THE SPIRIT’S WORK OF REGENERATION

The new birth is identical to regeneration which basically means ‘another generation’ or ‘generated over again’! The term “regeneration” is employed by the Apostle Paul in Titus 3:5, where he says, “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 Ghost”. Accordingly, regeneration is accomplished by the Spirit of God. This is not a reference to water baptism or a baby being christened! This is not a ritual or ceremony, but the actual impartation of life to the repentant sinner who believes the Gospel. When we look to Christ in faith the Spirit awakens our dead human spirit making it alive to God (Eph. 2:1-10). This is precisely the reason we cannot save ourselves or earn our salvation—regeneration transpires deep within the repentant/trusting soul and our human spirit is awaken—made alive to God for the first time ever! This is the work of the Spirit of Grace! As such regeneration is identical to the concept of "being born again,” or the “new birth.” Further exploration reveals more of what regeneration actually is.

Regeneration is a Brand New Beginning!

This obviously points to the spiritual change brought about in a person’s life by an act of God. In regeneration a person is instantly given a new nature, and she or he is enabled to respond to God in faith. Furthermore, the literal meaning of regeneration is “born again.” There is a first birth and a second birth. The first, as Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:1-12) is “of the flesh”—merely physical; the second birth is “of the Spirit”—thus, supernatural and spiritual. Being born of the Spirit is essential for a person to “enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5) Again the Bible insists the new birth is effectuated by the Spirit of God, not a church, not a preacher, not a priest, and not a ceremony (John 3:6-8). Just as we were passive in our natural and first birth, the same is truth with regards to our second birth. God does all the work the instant we believe. Without the new birth there is no present relationship, nor eternal future with the Most High God. Regeneration is the beginning of that spiritual relationship just as when we were born to our natural parents.

Regeneration is Instantaneous!

The “new birth” and “regeneration” do not represent successive nor continuous stages in our spiritual experience. The two terms refer to the same event, but view it in different aspects. The “new birth” stresses the impartation of Spiritual Life in contrast to spiritual death. “Regeneration” stresses the beginning of a New State of things in contrast with the old state of things. Both terms suggest a sudden event and not a process.

In short, the new birth is prompt/direct, and not step-by-step or progressive. It is spiritual and not physical in nature—it transpires in the human spirit and not the physical body.  It is only for people capable of believing the Gospel and receiving Christ. This is not true of infants and babies as such. Regeneration marks the beginning of the new creation in Christ! It is how we are made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins. Regeneration is how we pass from death into life. The literal meaning of regeneration is “born again” and it happens the very instant we believe.

THIRDLY, BY BEING BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY

For most of us our first birth placed us in the family of our biological parents. Likewise, when we are born again our second birth places us into the family of our spiritual parent—God! The critical problem with our first birth is that it was from a sinful, fallen, earthly source. What makes the new birth corrective is the fact that it is from a sinless, faultless, perfect, and heavenly Source--God. So, what does it mean to be born of the Spirit? (John 3:6-8)

It means the Spirit of God becomes the Source of our birth—God is our spiritual birth parent. We become a part of God spiritual family by means of the new birth!

This is Being Born Spiritually Alive!

We all were born spiritually dead in sin with our first earthly and natural birth (Eph. 2:1).  In the new birth we are finally made alive to the living reality of God and brought into a relationship with Him who is “life!” The Lord Jesus insisted upon this fact in John 3:5-6, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” He continues in John 3:7, saying to Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Firmly our Lord asserts this requirement. The life giving element of the new birth is aptly communicated by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:23, where he says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. We safely conclude that the new birth comes from God’s Word also. Accordingly, theses verses tell us our new birth is the product of the Spirit and the Word of God. The Spirit uses the Gospel (God’s Word) to bring about regeneration in the soul and spirit of the repentant/believing person. Being born again is the impartation of a new and divine nature-life; a new creation; the production of a new thing deep within (2 Cor. 5:17). It is a New Birth from above, from God—the new life giving Source! Now instead of being lost, separated from God, and in the death of our sins, we are saved, alive to God, and free of the guilt and responsibility for our sins.

This is Being Born With God’s Own Nature!

Now, please consider carefully what is stated so clearly in 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Just as every creature on the planet reproduces after its own kind (Gen. 1:21, 24, 25-28) so it is with God. Baby giraffes, wolverines, and kangaroos share the natural traits, characteristics, biological distinctions of their respective parents. This is true with birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and human beings. This has been observed and validated now for thousands of years. Bears beget bears and raccoons begat more raccoons—the offspring possess the natural tendencies of their parents. Accordingly, when God regenerates us He plants His very own nature within us that we would live like children of the Most High God. He shares His nature with every genuine Believer! 

So, since I am a child of God, I have my Father’s nature! We can only be ‘born’ into God’s Family, just as we were born into our human parents’ families.  Believers have two spiritual parents, the Spirit of God and the Word of God! This is critical to living out these spiritual realities on a daily basis.

Again, in the New Birth we are made "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Pet. 1:4).  Accordingly, we are new people who were created after God in holiness and righteousness. The Apostle Paul testified to this very matter in Ephesians 4:24, saying, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Paul challenges us to live out this reality. Christ now lives in Believers and Christians have been placed in Christ rendering us brand new creations of grace. Paul taught this in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” As children of God we now bare something more of the image of God than before we were saved. Paul says this in Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”. Thus God’s seed has been planted in us and we are possessed of TWO natures. In the faculties of our new nature we can live in righteousness like God’s family members ought.

LASTLY, BY CHOOSING TO TRUST AND DEPEND ON CHRIST—FAITH

How Can We Experience the Spiritual Birth? The answer is by consciously opting to place our faith/trust in Jesus Christ--His death, burial, and resurrection as the full payment for our sins. We acknowledge that God indicated His acceptance of Christ’s redemptive work by raising Him from the dead. Therefore, we accept what God accepts as the fair and complete payment for our sins. Recall what the Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:14-18,

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16, 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. 17, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18, 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.

Each person must utterly depend upon Christ as the One who paid our sin debt fully. Thus we believe the gospel of Christ—to believe means to trust Christ. We entrust our eternal salvation to Jesus Christ the Son of God without any reservations.

The story has been told many times with varying emphasis about the man who stretched a cable across a certain deep canyon. He first walked across the cable displaying fascinating balance and control. Secondly, he took a wheelbarrow and made his way across with it and back again. Finally, he asked the watching audience if they believed he could carry someone across in a wheelbarrow. Many of them gleefully responded with a “yes.” Then he asked for a volunteer and no one stepped forward. You see they did not really believe enough to trust him with their lives. When we trust Christ, it is like jumping into the wheelbarrow and utterly depending on Him to transfer us form no relationship with God into a relationship, from guilt to forgiveness, from condemnation to full acceptation, from death into life, and from earth to heaven. We must believe on Christ Jesus!

This is exactly what Paul outlines in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification before The Father. It is crucial that we understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

Christ’s suffering at Calvary was God providing payment for our sins. That what Calvary was about--justice was served and sin was paid for in full. Now sinners can be saved--born again to enter a relationship with God. It is the Spirit who regenerates us and gives us new life when we trust Christ. We cannot save ourselves no matter how good, sincere, or diligent we are. Being born again means we become a part of a new family, God is our Father who shares with us His very own divine nature. All of this is realized the moment we humble ourselves before God acknowledging our sins while trusting Christ and His payment for them. We must accept this payment personally. Beloved, we must exercise faith in the Person and Work of Christ to experience the spiritual birth. What about you? Do you have one or two births?