Regeneration and the Holy Spirit

“Ye must be born again.” This word of our Lord Jesus has appeared to flame in the way of many, like the drawn sword of the cherub at the gate of Paradise. They have despaired, because this

change is beyond their utmost effort. The new —

birth is from above, and therefore it is not in the creature’s power. Now, it is far from my mind to deny, or even to conceal, a truth in order to create a false comfort. I freely admit that the new birth

is supernatural, and that it cannot be wrought by

the sinner’s own self. It would be a poor help to my reader if I were wicked enough to try to cheer him by persuading him to reject or forget what is unquestionably true.

But is it not remarkable that the very chapter in which our Lord makes this sweeping declaration also contains the most explicit statement as to salvation by faith? Read the third chapter of John’s gospel quite through, and do not dwell alone upon

its earlier sentences. It is true that the third —

verse runs thus:

““Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I

say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see

the kingdom of God.”

“VE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” 87

But, then, the fourteenth and fifteenth verses speak to us upon this wise:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

The eighteenth verse repeats the same delightful doctrine in the broadest terms:

““He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed im the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

It is clear to every reader that these two statements must agree, since they came from the same lips, and are recorded on the same inspired page. Why should we make a difficulty where there can be none? If one statement assures us of the necessity to salvation of a something, which only God can give, and if another assures us that the Lord will save us upon our believing in Jesus, then we may safely conclude that the Lord will give to those who believe all that is declared to be necessary to salvation. The Lord does, in fact, produce the new birth in all who poieee in Jesus; and their believing is the surest evidence that thes are born again.

We trust in Jesus for what we cannot do ourselves: if it were in our own power, what need of looking to him? It is ours to believe, it is the Lord’s to create us anew. He will not believe for us, neither are we to do regenerating work for him. It is enough for us to obey the gracious command; it is for the Lord to work the new birth in us. He who could go so far as to die on the cross for us, can and will give us all things that are needful for our eternal safety.

‘“But a saving change of heart 1s the work of the Holy Spirit.” This also is most true, and let it be far from us to question it, or to forget it. But the work of the Holy Ghost is secret and mysterious, and it can only be perceived by its results. There are mysteries about our natural birth into which it would bean unhallowed curiosity to pry: still more is this the case with the sacred operations of the Spirit of God. “‘The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” This much, however, we do know, — the mysterious work of the Holy Ghost cannot be a reason for refusing to believe in Jesus to whom that same Spirit beareth witness.

Ifa man were bidden to sow a field, he could not excuse his neglect by saying that it would be useless to sow unless God caused the seed to grow. He would not be justified in neglecting tillage because the secret energy of God alone can create a harvest. No one is hindered in the ordinary pursuits of life by the fact that unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it. It is certain that no man who believes in Jesus will ever find that the Holy Spirit refuses to work in him: in fact, his believing is the proof that the Spirit is already at work in his heart.

“YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” 89

God works in providence, but men do not therefore sit still. They could not move without the divine power giving them life and strength, and yet they proceed upon their way without question; the power being bestowed from day to day by him in whose hand their breath is, and whose are all their ways. Soisitin grace. We repent and believe, though we could do neither if the Lord did not enable us. We forsake sin and trust in Jesus, and then we perceive that the Lord has wrought in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure. It is idle to pretend that there is any real difficulty in the matter.

Some truths which it is hard to explain in words are simple enough in actual experience. ‘There is no discrepancy between the truth that the sinner believes, and that his faith is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. Only folly can lead men to puzzle themselves about plain matters while their souls are in danger. No man would refuse to enter a lifeboat because he did not know the specific gravity of bodies; neither would a starving man decline to eat till he understood the whole process of nutrition. If you, my reader, will not believe till you can understand all mysteries, you will never be saved at all; and if you allow self-invented difficulties to keep you from accepting pardon through your Lord and Saviour, you will perish in a condemnation which will be richly deserved. Do not commit spiritual suicide through a passion for discussing metaphysical subtleties.

“MY REDEEMER LIVETH.”

ContinuaLty have I spoken to the reader concerning Christ crucified, who is the great hope of the guilty; but it is our wisdom to remember that our Lord has risen from the dead and lives eternally.

You are not asked to trust in a dead Jesus, but in one who, though he died for our sins, has risen again for our justification. You may go to Jesus at once as to a living and present friend. He is not a mere memory, but a continually existent person who will hear your prayers and answer them. He lives on purpose to carry on the work for which he once laid down his life. He is interceding for sinners at the right hand of the Father, and for this reason he is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him. Come and try this living Saviour, if you have never done so before.

This living Jesus is also raised to an eminence of glory and power. He does not now sorrow as “a humble man before his foes,” nor labor as ‘‘the carpenter’s son;” but he is exalted far above principalities and powers and every name that is named. The Father has given him all power in heaven and in earth, and he exercises this high endowment in carrying out his work of grace.

“MY REDEEMER LIVETH.” Ol

Hear what Peter and the other apostles testified concerning him before the high priest and the council:

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince anda Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” — Acts v. 80, 31.

The glory which surrounds the ascended Lord should breathe hope into every believer’s breast. Jesus is nO mean person — he is “a Saviour and a great one.” He is the crowned and enthroned Redeemer of men. The sovereign prerogative of life and death is vested in him; the Father has put all men under the mediatorial government of the Son, so that he can quicken whom he will. He openeth, and no man shutteth. At his word the soul which is bound by the cords of sin and condemnation can be unloosed in a moment. He ‘stretches out the silver sceptre, and whosoever touches it lives.

It is well for us that as sin lives, and the flesh lives, and the devil lives, so Jesus lives; and it is also well that whatever might these may have to ruin us, Jesus has still greater power to save us.

All his exaltation and ability are on our account. “He is exalted to be,” and exalted “to give.” He is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, that he may give all that is needed to accomplish the salvation of all who come under his rule. Jesus has nothing which he will not use for a sinner’s salvation, and he is nothing which he will not display in the abounding of his grace. He links his princedom with his Saviourship, as if he would not have the one without the other; and he sets forth his exaltation as designed to bring blessings to men, as if this were the flower and crown of his glory. Could anything be more calculated to raise the hopes of seeking sinners who are looking Christ-ward?

Jesus endured great humiliation, and therefore there was room for him to be exalted. By that humiliation he accomplished and endured all the Father’s will, and therefore he was rewarded by being raised to glory. He uses that exaltation on behalf of his people. Let my reader raise his eyes to these hills of glory, whence his help must come. Let him contemplate the high glories of the Prince and Saviour. Is it not most hopeful for men that a man is now on the throne of the universe? Is it not glorious that the Lord of all is the Saviour of sinners? We have a friend at court; yea, a friend on the throne. He will use all his influence for those who entrust their affairs in his hands. Well does one of our poets sing:

“He ever lives to intercede
Before his Father’s face;
Give him, my soul, thy cause to plead,
Nor doubt the Father’s grace.”

Come, friend, and commit your cause and your case to those once pierced hands, which are now glorified with the signet-rings of royal power and honor. No suit ever failed which was left with this great Advocate.