Monday January 30, 2017
“Regeneration: The New Birth”
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the
right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will
of man, but of God. – John 1:12-13
The Plan of Grace
The Plan of God – John 1:12-13
Our 3rd passage is John 1:12-13. Most Christians learn and
memorize John 1:12 as part of studying the new birth. We are taught that we
must “receive” Christ in order to become His children. The first two passages
(Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-14) dealt with God’s “Purpose” and the centrality
of “Christ.” Here, in the gospel of John, we are introduced to the concept of
the new birth.
John’s teaching, like Paul’s, is that Christ is received by faith (Colossians 2:6 – 7). What John
adds to Paul’s outline is that faith brings the privilege of adoption, and paradoxically, that same
faith is the fruit of a birth which
comes from God. Those who receive Christ and enter into adoption are those
who have been ‘born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will
of man, but of God’ .… The new life, which Paul has taught us leads to God’s
plan, begun before time to its consummation after time has ended, is now
expanded by John. He indicates that our personal experience of it begins when
God touches our lives in his wonderful power, in regeneration.
Challenge: 2
Corinthians 5:17 is known to all of us, especially in the Mo’ui Fo’ou
Fellowship. Reflect on this and consider today’s key word “regeneration.” How
have you been regenerated? Are you confident that you have been? Ponder this
today and reflect on your Christian journey so far.
This Day in Christian History:
Jan 30, 680 – Bathilde (word means, maid in-waiting) died on this day, one of the
most noble, humble, and beloved queens of France. Thanks to her, France became
the first Christian nation to outlaw slavery (she herself, was once a slave).
Catholics regarded her as a saint and Pope Nicholas I agreed, canonizing her
about two hundred years after her death.
Memory Verse:
purpose of Him who works all things according to the
counsel of His will
- Ephesians 1:11
‘io, ‘i He‘ene ‘Afio ‘a ia ne fai ‘iate ia foki homau fili
mōno tofi‘a, ‘o toka tu‘utu‘uni
kimautolu ki ai, ‘o fakatatau ki
he finangalo ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia
‘oku ne ngāue‘i ‘a e ngaahi me‘a kotoa pē ‘i he ‘alunga ‘o e fakakaukau ‘o hono
finangalo – ‘Efeso 1:11
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week 5 – Exodus 4-6; Gal 6
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