Chapter 32
Regeneration
What was the mission of Christ to the earth?
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.
From what does Christ redeem us?
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Gal. 3:13.
Who shall see God?
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8.
What relation must those who see God, sustain to Him in this life?
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2.
How does one become a child of God?
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26.
What is said of him who has faith in Christ?
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 5:1.
But what does living faith in Christ include?
"For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26.
When is faith effectual?
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." 1 John 3:22.
Is it necessary to do the things that we know are pleasing to God in order to maintain living faith?
"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." 1 John 3:20, 21.
NOTE: One cannot have confidence before God, if he knows he is guilty of constant violation of the law of God.
But still, will keeping the law justify anyone? If not, why not?
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.
How are we justified?
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.
In what condition were we before being justified?
"For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Rom. 7:9.
How does God take away condemnation?
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." Eph. 2:5.
What does the apostle, in another place call this quickening?
"According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5.
NOTE: To ge regenerated is to be reborn -- to be made alive after having died to the law of God.
What is one evidence of regeneration?
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." 1 John 3:14.
Before man's fall, to what did he especially have access?
"And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden." Gen. 2:9.
After Adam transgressed, what was done to him?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. 3:24.
What was cursed because of the fall?
"Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." Gen. 3:17.
In the sin of our first parents, to whom did they yield their inheritance?
"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Peter 2:19.
After the fall of man, did the earth pass into the hands of Satan?
"And the Devil, taking Him [Jesus] up into a high mountain, showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, And the Devil said unto Him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will, I give it." Luke 4:5, 6.
NOTE: This is said to have been a temptation to the Saviour. It could have been no temptation whatever, had not Satan told the truth in that matter; for Christ could have had no motive for bowing to Satan, except to get from him the usurped kingdom, which was created for Himself. Col. 1:14-16. If Christ could have regained His kingdom by the act of bowing to Satan, rather than to suffer and die for it, we can conceive in that a temptation.
Will the possession purchased by the blood of Christ, be restored again to man?
"In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest [pledge] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." Eph. 1:13, 14.
But in redeeming the possession, the earth, as well as man, must be cleansed from the curse. How will this be done? and what will be the result?
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:12, 13.
NOTE: As man tainted with sin must die to sin, and become a new man, so the sin-cursed earth must undergo a change, and become new. This change in man is called regeneration, or the new birth. The earth also must be regenerated to become the abode of regenerated men.
When will the regeneration of the earth take place?
"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt. 19:28.
What will be the condition of the earth when redeemed?
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Hab. 2:14; (Num.14:21).
Will the earth ever be cursed again, when once redeemed?
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him." Rev. 22:3.
Will man regain the right to the tree of life which was forfeited through sin?
"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14.
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