Some questions about regeneration / born again

[dms1972]

Hi,

I want to ask a few questions about regeneration and belief from a calvinist/ reformed standpoint. I have some grasp of it from theology. But have always been unsure if I have understood this. What I think I understand is that from the reformed see regeneration as God's Work, by the Holy Spirit, and the Word and that it is monergistic. That it precedes faith and repentance. What I am unsure about the circumstances under which it takes place and whether faith and repentance always follow. Can for instance someone be regenerate for a short time, but then lose it, because they have not followed through?

Can a person prepare themselves for regeneration, by reading the Bible for example, or praying to be born again?

Must a person first believe that there is a God, before regeneration can occur. How then would someone who does not believe in God, become a christian? Is it by accepting rational arguments for God's existence, so that they move from the position of atheism to theism?

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Must a person first believe that there is a God, before regeneration can occur. How then would someone who does not believe in God, become a christian?

The first step is always the act of the Holy Spirit, arbitrarily. While we are still sinners, he works a change in us. He softens our hearts. He brings us to repentance. It has nothing to do with our own merit.

Is it by accepting rational arguments for God's existence, so that they move from the position of atheism to theism?

Never. Rationality deems itself neutral and wholly objective, but the truth is that reasoning can be used to find the truth, or it can be used to make something look like the truth. The underlying motive determines the outcome. If the underlying motive comes from the heart of a man in his naturally unregenerate state, then his reasoning will always lead him away from the truth about God, namely Christ. You cannot find God until he shows himself to you. You will not be convinced of him until he changes your heart.

This section is full of wonderful people who will likely give you a better answer than mine.

 

[ronandcarol]

I do believe that everyone who comes to Christ and is reborn gets to that point from hearing the word preached. But first they have to have ears to hear. The story about Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find that one that was lost, is a good picture of how anyone comes to be reborn. There is a gentle nudging of your heart, there is a small quiet voice in your head, there is a specific Bible verse that jumps off the page while you are reading, there are just so many ways that God will get your attention.
Once He has your attention and you give your heart to Jesus, you are reborn, you are a child of God, and heir along with Jesus. BUT, that is only the beginning. The Holy Spirit will begin a work within you, gradually changing you from the awful sinner you once were, into a Christian that has a mind of Christ, always looking for those that need help. Growing spiritually is a lifelong process.
ronandcarol

 

[dms1972]

I do believe that everyone who comes to Christ and is reborn gets to that point from hearing the word preached. But first they have to have ears to hear. The story about Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find that one that was lost, is a good picture of how anyone comes to be reborn. There is a gentle nudging of your heart, there is a small quiet voice in your head, there is a specific Bible verse that jumps off the page while you are reading, there are just so many ways that God will get your attention.
Once He has your attention and you give your heart to Jesus, you are reborn, you are a child of God, and heir along with Jesus. BUT, that is only the beginning. The Holy Spirit will begin a work within you, gradually changing you from the awful sinner you once were, into a Christian that has a mind of Christ, always looking for those that need help. Growing spiritually is a lifelong process.
ronandcarol

Do you make a distinction between the hearing the Word preached, and someone reading the Bible outside of church.

I feel troubled, I went back into unbelief years ago, and I never have felt God drawing me back. I do try to read the Bible and christian books, but I really had gone far in my unbelief. I kind of live in my head/thinking.

Please pray for me.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Can for instance someone be regenerate for a short time, but then lose it, because they have not followed through?

Although I doubt I can answer any more or better than post #2, I will attempt to answer your questions. Forgive me for not taking the time to give Scripture references and or other quotations, as I've been short on time all day long. Since monergistic regeneration is the work of God alone, in every instance a person will follow through on account of being made a "new creature" in Christ. With that said, a true believer can backslide, without loosing salvation, however whenever a true believer sins it grieves the Holy Spirit, it is especially shameful, but has a sobering effect on the conscience, and has a way of causing humbleness and brokenness before the Lord.

Can a person prepare themselves for regeneration, by reading the Bible for example, or praying to be born again?

That is an interesting question, many believe it is so, and many more play the religion game under the assumption it is possible, however unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vein. Without the work of God the Holy Spirit, it is vanity, even prideful to think one can make themself ready, as though God needed our help, as though He were not able to forgive all of our sins, create a new and clean heart, set our minds on Christ, and do all the wonderful things He alone does in regeneration. I only frame this in this manner to hopefully get across the point, that God does the preparing, He conditions those He has chosen before the foundation of the world. We do not understand though, just how He does it, because conditioning can vary from person to person, and this is why and how testimonies also vary. Now by vary, I do not mean there is any other way than Christ, and I do not mean a person can be born again apart from monergistic regeneration, what I mean are the things which bring us to that point, the point before God does His miraculous work in the heart and mind and soul. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Must a person first believe that there is a God, before regeneration can occur. How then would someone who does not believe in God, become a christian? Is it by accepting rational arguments for God's existence, so that they move from the position of atheism to theism?

Another interesting couple of questions, involving apologetics. A full answer is really quite complicated and can get into all sorts of things, but I will try to be brief. Mankind is fallen and sinful such that our hearts from birth are deceitful and wicked and in our fallen nature we are like Adam and Eve, desiring to hide from God, and because of this, the tendency is to suppress the truth of God's existence and deny His existence. While other religions may acknowledge a god or gods, they too suppress the truth about God, even while acknowledging the existence of a god or gods, they twist the truth in unrighteousness. So the only way a person can become a Christian, is the supernatural work of monergistic regeneration. This is in God's timing and at His discretion according to His purposes for His glory.

Rational arguments are great for the born again believer and can serve to build them up the faith, and strengthen their faith, because it is not a blind faith, or irrational faith, it is a sure faith, a confidence and knowing that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, that we have a real and blessed hope in Christ, that death itself cannot remove.

 

[mark kennedy]

The path to regeneration starts with the call of God, specifically the Father calls us to repentance. This starts with God's natural revelation (Rom. 1:18-20), the realization of God's 'his eternal power and divine nature' is in stark contrast to 'all the godlessness and wickedness of people'. The response of the witness of conscience (Rom. 2:15), the witness of the Law having the same profoundly moral effect (Rom. 7:7). Jesus describes the crisis of conscience, having been made aware of the righteousness of God, makes the sinner 'poor in spirit', they 'mourn' over sin leaving them 'meek' and 'hungering and thirsting after righteousness' (Matt. 5:3-6). This is the first vital step to regeneration, you must be called to repentance by God himself who convicts all of their sin.

If you respond to the natural revelation of God's righteousness and your sinfulness you are a candidate for the grace of God in Christ.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (Rom. 3:21)​

This is about how salvation works and Jesus makes it clear:

• On the Path: Hears the message and doesn't understand it.
• Rocky Ground: No root, they fall away quickly due to persecution.
• Thorny Ground: Cares of this life and deceitfulness of riches chock out the word.
• Good Soil: Produces a crop, bearing fruit. (Luke 13:13-18)

Notice only the last soil (heart) was the only one to bear fruit.

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. (James 5:7)​

I'm not that familiar with the theological terminology but that is the New Testament witness as I have come to understand it.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[dms1972]

The first step is always the act of the Holy Spirit, arbitrarily. While we are still sinners, he works a change in us. He softens our hearts. He brings us to repentance. It has nothing to do with our own merit....

When you say 'The first step is always the act of the Holy Spirit, arbitrarily' what do you mean?

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

When you say 'The first step is always the act of the Holy Spirit, arbitrarily' what do you mean?

I mean that your growth in the Christian faith begins by an act of the Holy Spirit that is independent of what you already were or already did. The act of the Holy Spirit is arbitrary, meaning that God makes his choices for his own reasons and by his own authority.

A man in sin tends to remain in sin and has no motivation to do otherwise. Even the desire to have the desire for God is not innately possible for such a person. Any effect to the contrary must come from without, from God.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

I mean that your growth in the Christian faith begins by an act of the Holy Spirit that is independent of what you already were or already did. The act of the Holy Spirit is arbitrary, meaning that God makes his choices for his own reasons and by his own authority.

A man in sin tends to remain in sin and has no motivation to do otherwise. Even the desire to have the desire for God is not innately possible for such a person. Any effect to the contrary must come from without, from God.

Nicely said and Happy Birthday!

 

[dms1972]

I mean that your growth in the Christian faith begins by an act of the Holy Spirit that is independent of what you already were or already did. The act of the Holy Spirit is arbitrary, meaning that God makes his choices for his own reasons and by his own authority.

A man in sin tends to remain in sin and has no motivation to do otherwise. Even the desire to have the desire for God is not innately possible for such a person. Any effect to the contrary must come from without, from God.

Ok, thanks for your answer I just don't know whats wrong, or where I am at, or what I want, or how to find that out. I would have answered all that some years ago. But while I knew the 'doctrine' I think I lacked the reality.

I suppose some would say the first step (from man's side at least) is to admit one is helpless to save themself, a bit like in the twelve steps.

 

[twin1954]

dms1972, what is it that you are looking for? Is it assurance?

Assurance doesn't come from looking at yourself it come from simply resting in the complete and finished work of Christ.

Where is your heart? Do you desire the things of God and to be without sin? Are you expecting to be better than a sinner or to not sin anymore?

Believers are still sinners by nature but we hate our sin. Yes we have been born from above and have been given life and faith in Christ. But the old man, our sin nature, still seeks to rule us. We fall and fail but the Lord gives strength when needed. He never wastes His grace.

Come to the Lord Jesus Christ with nothing but your sin. There is absolutely nothing else you can give Him. Come asking for mercy and know that if He will He can make you whole. It is up to Him to save you and He is under no obligation to do so.

Still no one ever came to Him truly seeking mercy who didn't find it.

If you can come to Him seeking that which no man but the Godman who lived and died for sinners can give you it is already done.