How does one stand in the midst of persecution?
When we understand and appreciate the new birth we have received, then it enables us to stand firm in the faith in the midst of testings.
Bishop Manny Carlos shared an insightful message yesterday at Victory Fort and I’d like to share it with you.
1 Peter tells us that we have been “born not of perishable seed but of imperishable seed through the living and abiding the Word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)
The regenerative work of the Holy Spirit inside us that turns us from lost to found, dead to alive, causes us to experience the new birth and in turn transforms the way we live.
Here are the blessings of the new birth:
1. The new birth brings spiritual insight.
Jesus said that unless we experience a spiritual rebirth, we cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
We are given new lens when we are born again spiritually. Being born again is not a religion but an experience once we embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As a result, scales from our eyes fall and we see things from a different perspective.
2. The new birth imparts spiritual life.
Because we have experienced rebirth (1 Peter 1:23), we just don’t live in the physical but also in the spiritual.
There is now genuine joy, authentic peace, sincere love for we have received it from the one who is our Joy, our Peace and the One who is Love Himself.
3. The new birth produces spiritual hunger.
Appetites change as new cravings are replaced.
1 Peter 2:2-3 says, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Because we have experienced rebirth, we are now alive spiritually. And hunger is a good indicator of life. When a baby gets hungry, it means s/he is needing nutrition to continue to grow. A child who never gets hungry has a major problem. If this continues, soon, he will be lifeless.
If you and I have truly been born again, a hunger for the Word will surface for His Word brings daily sustenance.
Job declared in Job 23:12, “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
May we love God’s Word, treasure it, devour it and apply it to daily life.
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Here’s a simple 21-day guide that will start you off in this journey. Blessings!
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