THE NATURE OF SALVATION | THE NEW BIRTH

1. The nature of Salvation

a) God has given us salvation at very great cost to Himself. By repentance and faith man can accept this salvation. Just what happens then? What is this salvation which he receives? Four words show some of the wonderful things that become ours when we receive God's salvation: Forgiveness, Justification, Reconciliation, and The New Birth.

2. What is The New Birth?

a) We can think of death as the separation of body and soul. The separation of a man from his God is also called death, spiritual death. It is the result of sin.

i) "Death in trespasses and sins", Ephesians 2:1.

b) Every person on earth is born with the life of Adam. This life is good enough for this earth, but would be no good at all in heaven.

c) Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, John 3:3.

d) The Bible tells us how to be born again. We are born again by the Spirit of God and the Word of God, John 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23. Your are not born a son of God by:

i) blood (blood sacrifice, or because your father and mother are Christians).

ii) the will of the flesh (because you yourself make up your mind you are going to be born again).

iii) the will of man (through someone else's help or prayers).

e) Those who are born sons of God are those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, by believing in His Name, John 1:12-13.

f) When I am born again, I become a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things are passed away, all things are new, 2 Corinthians 5:17. I put on the new nature, Colossians 3:10. I can and should walk in newness of life.

g) As a son of God I am also an heir, a fellow heir with the Son of God, Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7. The Father will also chasten me if I do not obey Him. He does not do this to everybody but only to His sons whom He loves, Hebrews 12:6.