The Results Of Regeneration

This article can be found in Lectures in Systematic Theology by Theissen.

The scriptures declare that there are a number of definite results that follow regeneration. They are of such a nature that they serve as tests to whether a soul has been regenerated.

One. He who is born of God overcomes temptation.

1 John 3:9: 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.

1 John 5:4: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:18: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

The present tense of all those verbs indicates a life of habitual victory. Consequently, the regenerated person practices righteousness. This, however, is not to suggest sinless perfection.

Two. The attitude of the regenerated is different. He habitually loves the brethren.

1 John 5:1: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

He habitually loves God.

1 John 4:19: We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 5:2: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

He habitually loves God*s Word.

Psalms 119:97: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

1 Peter 2:2: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

He habitually loves his enemies.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

He habitually loves lost souls.

2 Corinthians 5:14: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Three. The regenerated person also enjoys certain privileges of a child, as the supply of his needs.

Matthew 7:11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

He enjoys a revelation of the Fathers will.

1 Corinthians 2:10-12: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Ephesians 1:9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

He enjoys being kept.

1 John 5:18: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

1 Peter 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Four. The man born of God is also an heir of God and a fellow-heir with Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:17: 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.

While the actual possession of the inheritance is for the most part still future, the child of God has even now a token of that inheritance in the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

It is, of course, clear that these results are not directly visible to the world, but they are, nevertheless, very real to the one who has been born into the divine family.

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