By the grace of God, we have been given a rare and wonderful opportunity to rise above the rest of humanity. We are now heirs of God, possessors of the hope of eternal life and of the knowledge of God's purpose. We are, as Jesus said, to be lights shining in the darkness of this evil age. So, Paul says, it is our responsibility as God's children in this world to fight the evil human nature within us and instead to display the nature of God in all of our actions—toward the world and toward one another—as we prepare for our ultimate work in His Kingdom.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Are Humans Good or Evil?
Regeneration is symbolized by baptism and the laying on of hands. It involves such things as internal cleansing, rising in newness of life from a watery grave, becoming a new creation, and receiving God's Holy Spirit.
This step is commonly called being "born again," but the Bible calls it regeneration. When we have a confrontation with God at the beginning of His salvation process, we are dead to sin. We need to be regenerated—given life once again.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)
II Timothy 1:8-9 and Titus 3:5 together reveal that our hope for salvation and completion as a son of God in Christ's image, prepared for the resurrection to eternal life, all comes down to one thing - God. Was it not God who saved Israel from their slavery? Was it not God who provided for them the whole way through the wilderness, then gave them their inheritance regardless of any promise? Would they have had any hope without Him in the picture, first giving the promise and then fulfilling what He said He would do?
Could they have delivered themselves? Could they have provided for themselves? Could they have taken over the Promised Land? Their hope had to be in God, that He would follow through. The promise did not save them. It was the God who made the promise.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Perseverance and Hope
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Salvation and completion as a son of God depend on God, just as Israel's deliverance and inheritance came not from the promise but from the God who made it. God's love and grace are gifts no one could earn, accepted only in faith and obedience with humble thankfulness. Regeneration, called being "born again," is symbolized by baptism and the laying on of hands, involving internal cleansing, rising in newness of life, becoming a new creation, and receiving God's Holy Spirit. This process begins with spiritual conception by the indwelling Spirit. Renewing is not over and done with but repeats daily. Salvation brings forgiveness, a more excellent present life, hope of greater things, humble gratitude, and the need for good works.