Tag Archives: bible

What is the “process” of Biblical Regeneration (the second birth)?

Someone said: “Justification is instantaneous. Salvation is a process.” Is this true? What is the “process” of Biblical regeneration (the second birth)?

Discussion,

Subjugation – Procrastination

From the womb, humanity enters a World constrained by Time and physics, a World in subjugation to the god of this World, Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31). Every man, woman, child, begins their Earthly journey subjugated to the Adamic sin-nature and the ruler of this World, Satan (John 12:31); unfortunately, “many” will perish as subjects of Satan due procrastination (Matthew 7:13-14) as the Holy Spirit, the divine “Restrainer” of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7), methodically works through the human conscience to convict the soul-spirit of humanity concerning their need for forgiveness of sin and righteousness (a right standing) with their Creator; therefore, all of humanity that rejects the call of the Spirit will be “without excuse” as they stand in the Judgement of the Condemned, are adjudicated guilty and perish in the “second death” in Hell; this, as their self-righteousness, their arrogance, their sin, cannot enter the Kingdom of Elohim (Romans 1:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:27).

Salvation – Redemption

Salvation from the “second death” in Hell; Redemption – having been purchased with a price – mankind’s sin-debt paid by Jesus via blood atonement at Golgotha are instantaneous divine gifts of grace provided a man or woman at the moment one “believes” that Jesus is Messiah who died for them as they are sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who is the Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father (John 3; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Justification

Justification i.e. to be declared righteous (possessing a right standing with Elohim) is integral with Salvation and concurrent (manifests jointly with salvation) because our Justification comes through faith in Jesus who justifies (imparts righteousness to) the ungodly by faith at salvation; therefore, Salvation and Justification run concurrently (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Sanctification

It is sanctification (the setting apart for Elohim’s purposes) that is a daily process in the life of the redeemed in Jesus as the Holy Spirit methodically works through the redeemed conscience (2 Corinthians 5:17) via the law written upon the heart to produce divine fruit (Galatians 5:16 -23) that honors Elohim, eternally; the daily process of sanctification continues throughout the life of the redeemed in Jesus while they are constrained by Time and physics. Sanctification is performed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who prepares the redeemed in Jesus for service in the New Jerusalem.

Glorification

Finally, glorification, concerning the redeemed in Jesus, will manifest at the resurrection of the righteous who will receive a “glorified” body likened to the glorified resurrected body of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21); a glorified body that is freed from the Adamic sin-nature, a resurrected, glorified, body that possesses the capability of true worship with the ability to infinitely discern the holiness and beauty and majesty of our Creator Whom we will serve in the New Jerusalem, forever.

Understanding Matthew 7:21-23 (Works or Faith-Relationship?)

Understanding Matthew 7:21-23: What is Messiah Jesus teaching; a works salvation or salvation by faith? Is the quality of work performed at question or the absence of Covenant relationship with the Father?

Discussion,

Before we begin, for contextual concerns, please note that the divine discourse of Matthew 7:21-23 immediately follows Messiah’s teaching concerning “fruit” as works that identify the motives of the individual performing same, see Matthew 7:15-20.

If one has NOT established New Covenant relationship with the Father by faith in the Son, Jesus Christ, their works, their efforts, their prayers, are interpreted as a “filthy garment” (literally: bloody menstrual cloth) in the nose of Elohim (Isaiah 64:6); therefore, anything done by humanity with the motive of “earning righteousness” (a right standing with the Father) through human effort is lawlessness and putrid from Elohim’s perspective. Elohim first demonstrated this for you in Genesis 3:21 immediately subsequent Adam’s disobedience as Elohim, Himself, shed innocent blood and clothed Adam in a robe of imputed-gifted righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) while rejecting Adam’s self-righteous attempts to cover and conceal his own shame with fig leaves (Ephesians 2:8-9).

What are the “works” articulated in Matthew 7:21-23?

1) “did we not prophesy in your name?” Prophesy is not a lawless work if it is performed through the indwelling Holy Spirit who is given to all who believe (Ephesians 1:13-14).

2) did we not “cast out demons in your name?” Casting out demons is NOT a lawless work if it is performed in the Name of Jesus via the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit given to all who believe in Jesus as Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14).

3) did we not “do many mighty works in your name?” Working and dedicating oneself to the ministry of Elohim in the divine Name of Jesus is NOT a lawless work if it is done with a pure motive via FAITH through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Therefore, we must logically conclude that the works of these rejected by Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 were not lawless on their face but lawless because they were done void the Holy Spirit and were therefore done in the flesh under girded by self-righteous motives apart from FAITH.

Jesus confirmed the self-righteous nature of the works performed by clearly telling those who were rejected that “I never knew you, depart from me you workers of lawlessness.” Therefore, it is COVENANT RELATIONSHIP, the ABSENCE of same, that is the focal point of Messiah’s teaching and NOT quality of work done!

If one desires to enter the Kingdom of Elohim, they must FIRST comply with the Father’s will; that is, “believe in the One He has sent into the World” to provide you blood atonement for your sin (John 6:29); then, the works of obedience performed SUBSEQUENT salvation by faith in Jesus, alone, must be done through the indwelling Holy Spirit via the production of divine fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) in order that those works be divinely motivated and acceptable to the Father and actually pass the test for authenticity at the BEMA Judgment.

Therefore, we must conclude that Jesus, in Matthew 7:21-23, is teaching the eternal mandate of Covenant Relationship by grace through faith as a divine PRIORITY if one’s works performed subsequent salvation by faith are to be considered honorable and pleasing to the Father, Son and Spirit in that Day (John 15:8).