NEW BIRTH

From: Present Truth for Christians By: Henry Edward Hayhoe

• 1 min. read • grade level: 4

Being "born again" is really being "born of God" (1 John 5:1¹Whosoever 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. (1 John 5:1)). That is, we partake of the life and nature of Him who gave us new birth.

It is not the re-enthronement of man's spirit nature, nor is it the old nature improved or governed by a new life.

John 1:12¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) declares that we become the children of God when we believe on His name.

This new life is manifested by having God as its object.

It walks in the light. That is, it has now the knowledge of God revealed in the Son. (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).)

Its fruit is obedience-(1 John 2:3-5³And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:3‑5))and righteousness (1 John 2:29²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1 John 2:29)); and those divine affections that have God as their object, and love to all the children of God as its character (1 John 3:14¹⁴We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (1 John 3:14)).

When the new life is manifested, the world knows us not: because such live with wholly new desires—new objects-new pleasures. We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:1-3¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ³And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1‑3); Rom. 5:11¹¹And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11).)

May this life be seen in all His children!

HOW solemn are the words,

And yet to faith how plain,

Which Jesus uttered while on earth—

"Ye must be born again."

"Ye must be born again!"

For so has God decreed;

No reformation will suffice

'Tis life poor sinners need.

"Ye must be born again!"

And life in Christ must have;

In vain the soul elsewhere may go

'Tis He alone can save.

"Ye must be born again!"

Or never enter heaven;

'Tis only blood-washed ones are there—

The ransomed and forgiven.

"Ye must be born again!"

Then look to Christ and live!

He is "the life" and waits in heaven

Eternal life to give.

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Present Truth for Christians

• PRESENT TRUTH FOR CHRISTIANS (BRIEFLY DEFINED) - Preface

• NEW BIRTH

• PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION

• GOVERNMENTAL FORGIVENESS

• THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

• Profession or Reality – Which?

• THE KINGDOM OF GOD

• THE CHURCH - THE HOUSE OF GOD

• THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST

• THE LORD'S TABLE

• AT THY TABLE

• THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS

• THE LORD'S COMING IN JUDGMENT

NEW BIRTH

Present Truth for Christians [Pamphlet]