250 – Calling – The Evidences of Regeneration

SEMESTER 4

250 – Calling – The Evidences of Regeneration

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY IV LESSON # 50
THE DOCTRINE OF CALLING
(THE EVIDENCES OF REGENERATION)

INTRODUCTION:

The new birth or regeneration is a spiritual work of God, and thus an invisible work. It does, however, produce some very visible evidences. The Lord pointed this out in Jn. 3:8, with the illustration of the wind. While we cannot see it, there are some very real evidences of it which are readily sensed. In this lesson we will consider some of those evidences of regeneration. While the regenerate man does not reach immediate maturity in these things, he has a propensity toward:

I. THE ABILITY TO REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST

1. The regenerate man repents of all hope in dead works. (Heb. 6:1)
2. He ceases from any future efforts to justify himself. (Rom. 4:5)
3. If he looks to anything other than, or more than Christ, the evidence of regeneration is not really present.

II. THE WITNESS OF THE INDWELLING SPIRIT OF GOD IN HIM.

1. Scripture insists that regeneration is the entrance of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:9, Rom. 8:16, I Jn. 3:24, I Jn. 4:13)
2. This is not some abstract, mystic feeling, but an indwelling, convert­ing and ruling power. (Rom. 8:14)
3. It is by and only by this indwelling that God performs His work in us. (Phil. 1:6, Phil. 2:13)

III. THE READINESS TO ACCEPT GOD’S WORD

1. Initially, it is by the instrumentality of the word that we are saved. (II Thes. 2:13-14)
2. A perpetual resistance to Scripture is clear evidence against any claim of regeneration. (Jn. 10:26-28)

IV. THE SENSITIVITY TO AND HATRED OF HIS OWN SIN

1. No regenerate person thinks himself sinless (Rom. 7:14-25, I Jn. 1:8, James 1:18, Jn. 8:32)
2. The person created after God’s nature, (II Pet. 1:4) and in true holiness, (Eph. 4:24) cannot be blind to his sin.

V. THE NATURAL LOVE FOR GOD

1. This is born out in: Jn. 8:42, Rom. 7:22, II Cor. 5:17, I Jn. 4:16-19.

VI. THE EFFORT AND DESIRE TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD

1. This does not preclude seasons of failure and even rebellion in the believer’s life. (Jn. 18:17-18)
2. It does mean the regenerate heart has the desire to obey God, as its main trend of life. (Jn. 14:21-24, Rom. 6:14, 8:6, 8:13, Gal. 5:24, I Jn. 1:6, 2:4, 2:15, 3:8-9, II Jn. 6)

VII. THE GOAL OF PROGRESSIVE PERSONAL PURIFICATION

1. The regenerate man never attains perfection, but he does pursue holiness, and he grows in grace. (I Jn. 3:3)

VIII. THE NATURAL LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS

1. Jesus taught that love for other believers was a supreme evidence of regeneration. (Jn. 13:35)
2. The Holy Spirit also taught, by John, that it was an absolutely necessary evidence. (I Jn. 3:14, I Jn. 5:2)

IX. THE PATTERN OF CONTINUANCE IN THE FAITH

1. Continuance is not a means by which we are kept, but an effect of being kept by grace. (Jn. 8:31-32)
2. Perseverance, though never perfect, is present. (Mat. 10:22, Phil. 2:13, Col. 1:23, I Jn. 3:9, I Jn. 5:4)