When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life...The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God...Its mystery exceeds human knowledge; yet he who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality.
How, then are we to be saved? 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,' so the Son of Man has been lifted up, and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live.
'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29. The light shinning from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Savior. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul.
'One thing you lack,' said Jesus. 'If thou will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.' Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God, his supreme love of self must be surrendered.
The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not rise to newness of life in Christ.
The born-again experience necessitates a complete surrender, a dying to self, before a new creature can be born by the power of God. We had no choice in the first birth, but the new birth must be by our choice.
Joshua 24:15 "Choose you this day whom you will serve...." Grandma Joan
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