The will needs to be overcome, but regeneration is not necessary for this. The dead can hear and believe, and by doing so they will live.
Jesus says:
John 5:25
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when THE DEAD WILL HEAR the voice of the Son of God and THOSE WHO HEAR WILL LIVE.
The order presented here is:
1. Word
2. Hear (receive the Word)
3. Live
Look again
It does not say life and then hear, but hear and then live.
The Dead will hear and it is the result of regeneration.
Context is judgement..... the dead made alive (regenration) those in the tombs hear... for the resurection of judgement.
Nothing to do with salvation, nor eternal life.
25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Regeneration is First and Foremost the Illumination
of the Understanding
Concerning Sin and the need for a Savior.
♦
2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ."
"
Regeneration is the Elevation of the Heart. "The first and last and closest trial
question to any living creature is, 'What do you like?' God out into the street and ask the
first man you meet what his taste is, and, if he answers candidly, you know him, body and
soul. What we like determines what we are, and is the sign of what we are; and to teach
taste is inevitably to form character." (John Ruskin) The Bible confirms what the honest
heart must admit. Prior to salvation, there is a love for sin. The heart is filled with all
unrighteousness (Rom. 1:29). But after God instills a new life principle in the soul, there
is an elevation of the heart towards heaven. It is when God creates a clean heart and
renews a right spirit in the soul that the desire is present to "teach transgressors thy
ways" so that sinners are converted. (Psa. 51:13).
"
Regeneration is Absolutely Essential to Salvation.
♦
John 3:3 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.
In Him,
Bill