“If you are not born again you cannot enter the kingdom of God” Jesus (John 3:3–8).

Regeneration enables being born again

The doctrine of Regeneration is a Calvinistic term used by the reformers inspired by John Calvin, early Puritans, and today among many Baptists, Presbyterians, and Reformed churches. It refers to a secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us. This is more often known by the biblical term used by Jesus: “being born again” of the Spirit’s motivating influence (John 3:3–8).

Regeneration Is the entire work of God

Though we play an active part in sanctification and perseverance; in the work of regeneration, we have no active role at all. Rather it is in entirety the work of God. John teaches that Christ calls people into His church at a specific time in their life to reconcile with God. He enables them with the power of the Spirit to become children of God (John 1:13). Those who are “born … of God” are not operating by “the will of man” to bring about this kind of birth.

Our passivity in regeneration is indicated in Scripture by referring to the occurrence as being “born” or being “born again” (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:3–8). We did not choose to be made physically alive, and we did not choose to be born—it is something that happened to us; similarly, “these analogies in Scripture suggest that we are entirely passive in regeneration”. ¹

The necessity of regeneration by the Spirit

Jesus noted that the entrance to the kingdom, is opened by the Spirit’s power causing this effective experience (John 3:3, 5); there is an equipping of a new heart and new motive to serve God which circumvents death (Ezek. 18:31). Those who do not receive a new heart will die spiritually.

The Bible never reveals one saved person without being born again. Civility, knowledge, tact, living by the golden rule or being externally religious will not achieve it. Nicodemus who was taught about being born again by Jesus was a teacher in Israel without objection (John 3:3–8). Paul, blameless according to the law, experienced conversion pivoting his viewpoint from the hateful murdering of Christians to preaching Jesus with persuasive power. He wasn’t motivated to preach the gospel until he met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:4) He was on the way to arrest and persecute Christians.

No one can have true heartfelt communion with God without regeneration by the Spirit. Initially, before being born again we are at enmity with God (Romans 8:7). God, resides in unapproachable light and holiness (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 1:5) while the ungodly cannot be in His presence (Psa. 5:5–7). Therefore, in order for a person to have fellowship with God, he or she must be born again and led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).

¹ Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine – The Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith

You may go to church regularly, yet deep down you may not feel that you are saved or living as you ought to live.

This is not a strange thought to have. Occasionally, a Christian can feel that we are not where we would like to be spiritually. Generally this is a sign that the Holy Spirit is guiding you to engage mindfully in the process of responsible sanctification.

This has been the lament of even prophets like Isaiah who were very close to the Lord: “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). He felt just like you feel. He confessed he was a man of unclean lips (and lived in a world, home, workplace, or religious affiliation etc. abounding in worldliness and self-will). When contrasted with the revealed glory of the Lord, he said “I am ruined” or “I am unworthy – I’m not sure Lord how I measure up”.

As we read further: “See . . . your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7). Not only at the initial point of salvation do we need this assurance! The more Christ is presented in His righteousness as we grow in holiness, the more we need assurance that the perfect righteousness of Christ is in fact credited to us. Growing in holiness is the Holy Spirit’s work of making us aware of our need of holiness, the need to follow the example of Jesus.

Once we see this need, we must always keep in mind the righteousness of Jesus Christ on our behalf, as what He paid on the cross for you: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, our attitude changes: “Now, little children, abide in Him so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him”. (1 John 2:28 ) Practicing righteousness or being in the pursuit of righteousness, is our holy calling to enter this process day by day by faith. John Wesley felt that he must repent daily as he beheld the glory of the Lord.

Apostle John said, “everyone who has within him the hope of eternal life purifies himself just as Christ is pure”. (John 3:3) Just beware that in this process of allowing God to purify us, that Satan wants to leverage our awareness of the gap – the lack of our own righteousness in contrast with Christ’s pure righteousness, first when we see the difference and when we strive with the Spirit’s help applying the precious promises of the Word, to put away sin and “have this mindset, that was also in Christ” toward sin.

Bear in mind that the closer you get to Christ, the farther your righteousness will seem from His perfection. So when you are tempted to feel unworthy realize that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and the Lord will give you a way of escape so that you can endure” these fears (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Your fear of not being a Christian or not worthy, are common to all mankind.

When you begin to follow the example of Christ, and the command of God to “be holy as I am holy” in the light of being righteous by faith in Christ’s beauteous righteousness, Satan will try to convince you that you are not a genuine Christian after all, tempting with thoughts such as “No true born again Christian would yell at their spouse or think the lustful thoughts like you’ve have.”

Jesus spoke a parable to help us understand the need to not rely on our own sense of being righteous:

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 ESV)

Take note that Jesus did not view the man who thought he was saved, thought he was an outstanding righteous man as the man with the right viewpoint. No. Christ looked at the man who was ashamed, confessing and concerned about his sin, as a righteous man, whom He justified (legally accounted) as saved.

Why does God bring us to these queries of assurance? Is it fear of the doctrine of election, that you are not chosen? Is it the fear of the unpardonable sin? Regardless of the questions that may haunt us due to regrets or simple misunderstandings, generally it is to bring us into a deeper understanding of the Righteousness of Christ, and our need as pilgrims to enter into the process – the journey – of sanctification (living obedient to Christ’s Word), in mind, motive, action and body.