As I wrote earlier, I recently finished reading a book by Charles Leiter entitled Justification and Regeneration. It is inexpensive on Amazon (link: Justification and Regeneration (Expanded Edition): Charles Leiter: 9780981732152: Amazon.com: Books). I suggest that you take the time to read this book.
Chapter Ten contains five headings. The first heading is “Crucifixion & Resurrection.” Under this heading, Pastor Leiter defines regeneration (see p. 84) to mean a new birth of a new man who is a new creation with a new heart and a new nature. He adds that regeneration is the crucifixion, death, and burial of the old self and the raising up of the new self to walk in newness of life.
He points out that the old man is dead and gone forever. The real believer has been crucified with Christ and the old self no longer lives.
Even though the old man is gone, a believer’s “flesh” remains. Flesh is the unredeemed physical body viewed as the place where sin tries to assert itself. All believers look forward to that day when our bodies will be redeemed (Romans 8:23) and will be completely delivered from all sin.
The second heading is “A New Identity.” One important truth every believer needs to grasp is that have a new identity. The flesh is not who a believer really is. It is superficial and temporary. Someday it will be gone.
The third heading is “A New Power.” In addition to having a new identity, a believer has new power that gives them the ability to break from sin. While sin still tries to reign, a believer does not have to allow it to do so. Sin is not to be master over a believer.
The fourth heading is “Embracing the Truth.” A Christian’s new identity and new power are FACTS that conform to reality. Even if a believer does not fully embrace these truths, these biblical truths still remain true.
Pastor Leiter points out that the NT teaching of growth in grace comprises two aspects. First, realize who you are! This means to actively refuse sin and deliberately embrace truth. Second, be who you are! This means to actively refuse sin and deliberately give yourself to righteousness.
The fifth heading is “A Defeated Foe.” The main point is sin is a defeated foe. Sin’s days are numbered in the life of every believer.
In Chapter Eleven, Pastor Leiter looks at a change of realms that take place at conversation. In other words, a believer moves from the realm of flesh to the realm of Spirit.
If you are unsure about your salvation or are not a Christian, it is vital that you continue reading.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN
… please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God. Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.
Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and exhausted God’s wrath against every believer. He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them.
If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
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