The God-Begotten

 What dies it mean to be "born again?" I think any way we look at it that it means we have a new life. Just like a baby coming into this world, we are born again into God's family. We become one of the God-begotten. (I John 3:9) John explained this for us. We are conceived and brought into life by God. We can't save ourselves by works. Only God can bring about this transformation. When He does this, His seed is deep within us, making us who we are. Therefore, once we are born again we will not make a practice of sin, because it is no longer in our nature to practice and parade sin. This is a powerful truth for all of us to ponder.

Those who don't know the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are still ruled by the sinful nature that all of us have from birth. They can't help but practice sin, because it is in their very nature to sin. That is why we should not be condemning of non-believers who practice sin. We should love them and help them see by our words and actions that they can have a much better life. We can do that because we have a new nature. The Holy Spirit has come into us to transform us, and the sinful nature is dead. We have the nature of God in us, and we no longer want to practice sin or parade it. We have the desire to do the will of God. Sometimes we fail because we listen to the flesh instead of allowing the Spirit to guide. However, when we do that, the Spirit convicts us and draws us back to God in confession and repentance. God does that for all of His true children.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read I John 4-5.