By Pastor Chad
Given humanity’s sinful condition, we are in need of transformation. Scripture claims mankind is “dead in our trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1), incapable of saving ourselves, and in need of a Savior. Therefore, this needed transformation cannot come about from within mankind, it must come from an outside source. Christians call the first step in this transformation: regeneration.
Regeneration is a complete and instantaneous act of God in which He gives someone a new spiritual life. This new spiritual life results in being freed from the dominion of sin. Scripture calls “regeneration” being “born again” (John 3:3). When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and leads us in the way we should go. With the endowment of the Holy Spirit, one is given divine guidance to live godly in a fallen world.
The exact nature of regeneration is a mystery to us. The Holy Spirit (the principle person of the Godhead working in regeneration) supernaturally and mysteriously renews our spirit in such a way that we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ezekiel 36:26 describes regeneration as getting a new heart: going from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.
Though mysterious, the impact from regeneration is real and eternal. In other words, when one is born again, one is changed forever. This renewal or awakening is a life-defining moment. One is now a new creation—and assumes a new identity in Christ. The old you is now dead. In a sense, your soul has been resurrected. The standard statement of invocation at someone’s baptism is, “Buried with Christ, raised to walk a new life.” Baptism itself is a physical representation of what takes place on a spiritual level at salvation.
And to say this renewal is spiritual in no way takes away from the impact and real change upon one’s life. At regeneration, one is the same person, but that person has truly been transformed. This transformation is just as substantial as any physical alteration. This second birth is just as real as the first. Just as your first birth was marked by distinct changes and characteristics (you started breathing air, you started eating, your movements were no longer constricted, etc.), being born again is accompanied by distinct and noticeable marks in one’s life. For example, one seeks to grow closer to Christ through various spiritual exercises like Bible study, prayer, active church involvement, service, and more. It isn’t that we do these activities so that we might be saved. We do them because we are saved. We don’t do these activities because we have to (per se); We do them because we want to.