[ Bottom of Page ]

By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

Our acts are expressions of our inner selves. We sin because we are sinners. Our nature is what makes us sinners. 

This nature is found within every part of man, so refraining from external acts of sin is not enough to entitle us to salvation (Lu 18:11). Men break the commandments of God by harboring evil thoughts (Mt 5:21-22, 27-28; Eph 2:3). Infants bring this innate corruption from the very womb (Ps 51:5). Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child (Pr 22:15). The whole nature of man is a seedbed of sin (Gen 6:5; 8:21; Job 9:20; Ps 14:2-3; 36:2; Eccl 7:20; Jer 17:9; Mt 15:19; Ro 3:10).

This evil principal or corruption is labeled a ‘root’ (De 29:18) and is said to bring forth fruit unto death (Ro 7:5,24). We must do more than look on the outward appearance, but we must search the inward parts looking to the root. Hatred and wrath are not deeds of the body, but dispositions of the soul and affections of the heart.

Mark 7:21 (KJV) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

These evil works of the flesh are of the same root, yet are divided and contrary one to the other, and are not all necessarily displayed or always displayed. This sin nature is in every man (Rom 3:9-18,23; Gal 5:19-21). What is man that the Lord is mindful of him? Such love is displayed by Jesus having died for our sins purchasing for us salvation!

Our sins are obvious as both inner or outer works. An example of inward sin is hatred and wrath. Hatred: inward disposition of hostility; lack of regard for another (1Jo 2:9,11; 3:15; 4:20). Wrath: great anger; fierceness (Joh 5:42; Ro 7:5; Gal 5:24; 6:7-8; Eph 4:31; Jas 1:19-20; Re 2:23). Be sure your sin will find you out. As God reveals the heart to sinful man, pride vanishes. There is no room for self promotion when the contents of ones own heart is discovered.

Divine mercy, or divine judgment. One or the other is directed towards man. The wages of sin is death. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. One shall either be saved from sin or they shall perish in their sin.

John 3:7 (KJV) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

David, it seems, was regenerate while still upon his mother’s breast (Ps 22:9). John Baptist showed evidence of having been born again while still in his mothers womb (Luke 1:41; Gal 5:22). Of Jeremiah, it is said before he came out of the womb he was sanctified (Jer 1:5; 1Cor 1:30; 6:11; Rom 15:16). Then there is the infant son of David (2Sam 12:23). David seems to have had witness that the infant was saved. While there is some reason for questioning if these things are so or not, there is nevertheless reason for accepting these things as being so. God need not make these things open and clear now, but there is some reason for thinking they are so, unless you are inclined to be of the mind man must do the right things to gain salvation. Deal with the Scriptures while considering these things.

Apart from faith, no man shall be saved. Faith is a work (John 6:29; 1Thes 1:3; 2Thess 1:11). Works are inner or outward. When faith, prayers, decisions, any work, any merit of man is said to be the efficient cause of salvation, works, not grace, is introduced. Faith is granted on behalf of Christ (1Pet 1:21; Col 2:12; John 1:13; 6:28-29; Acts 13:48; 18:27; Rom 3:22; 9:16, 18, 22; 10:17; 12:3; John 6:45; Gal 5:22; Eph 1:19; 2:8; Phil 1:29; Heb 12:2; Tit 3:5). Salvation is through faith alone, faith granted through grace, the gift of God, and not by any merit of man. Faith is a response of the new birth. Man is saved by grace.

Regeneration is not merely agreeing that various facts are true. One can be morally and intellectually persuaded of the truth and need of salvation, but regeneration is not man cooperating with God, but is instead a new creation, and new man. One can be morally persuaded, and hold the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18), because they have not been born again. With regeneration, there is new life, yet such a one might be ignorant of many of the things of God. The regenerate will have new desires towards God and righteousness, things not as this world has, for the unregenerate might be sorrowful of the consequence, but not of the deed itself, having no desire for the true riches and righteousness.

Before one is born again, they are at enmity towards God (Rom 8:7), and enmity does not cooperate with love. Being at enmity toward God, how ever much one might be convinced of some moral principles or truth by their conscience, that is not the same as being born anew. Having a conscience that discerns between one thing and another is not the same as having a will with inclinations toward God. The lost man has a conscience or he would never feel remorseful. A lost man might very well recognize the identity of God, and might well understand some things as being morally repugnant, but that is not the same as being a new creation. The new birth is essential. 

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

When one is born again, the mind is cognizant and discovers that some things are abhorred and some things desired, and that there is a hungering and thirsting, eternal life is imparted, and clearly these things not part of the natural unregenerate man (2Cor 2:14; Ps 110:3; 37:31; 1John 3:6,9; 5:18; Ps 119:165; 2Cor 5:17; Eze 36:26; John 3:6; 10:28; Tit 1:2; 3:7; Rom 12:3). With the new birth there is faith given, otherwise why would there be a thirsting, hungering, that hopes for new things, that causes a man to think different about some things and act different. Truth is written on the heart and inward parts (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:11; 1Pet 1:23; Ps 37:31). There is warning given by Paul the word of God can be corrupted (2Cor 2:17), but Christ Himself is incorruptible (Heb 1:12; 13:8) (same yesterday today forever), so their is confirmation the rebirth is not accomplished by the hearing of the word that is preached, but rather, one is born of God Himself (Eph 2:1; Tit 3:5; 1John 2:29; 5:1; John 1:13; Rom 2:28-29). Faith is fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). One is born again, by the Spirit. Regeneration is accomplished without the use of means, while conversion is accomplished by the use of means. The change wrought by the new birth results in conversion. There can be no conversion without regeneration. Regeneration and conversion are separate and distinct. There is conversion resulting directly from the new birth, and subsequent conversion from hearing the word preached is usual. 

By grace,
Bob Krajcik
Mansfield, Ohio
July 5, 2005
Semper Fidelis

Bible Study Letters

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

[ Home Page ] [ Main Menu ]

Bob Krajcik
[ Bible Study Letters ]
 Your Comments Welcomed
Your Privacy Respected
Send Your Comments, Questions,
Praise Reports or Prayer Requests

[ Top of Page ]