Over the past year or so I have been reading an excellent book entitled "Foundations of Grace: A long line of godly men" by Dr. Steven Lawson. With my background, this was a challenging, yet incredibly encouraging book to read. Challenging because it is over 550 pages of literature that will surely stretch you and make you reconsider your opinion on what it means to live in a manner worthy of your calling (Eph 4:1)(When compared to Moses, Joshua, Job, Jesus)At the same time, it is incredibly encouraging because it has revealed to me this monumental truth: We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and this is in no way something that we are capable of accomplishing on our own, but it is only accomplished by the mercy of our creator and for the purpose of bringing Him glory! Now I know you have heard this before, I had too! But taking the time to digest the implications of this will leave you forever awestruck by the Lord's mercy. So with that said, I would like to offer a few quotes/resources for you on the topic of "Regeneration preceding Faith !" It is only appropriate for the first quote to come from Lawson's book:
A definite atonement must have a definite application to the hearts of the elect. Such is the divine work of the Holy Spirit, who irresistibly calls God's chosen ones into new life. In describing the new birth, John taught a monergistic view of divine regeneration. He emphatically stated that God must do a sovereign work in the spiritually dead sinner before he or she can exercise saving faith. It is God himself who causes saving faith to be found in man. The genuine trust by which the sinner believes upon Christ must be received from God. Rightly understood, then, the new birth precedes and produces saving faith:
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)
Below is a small excerpt from an amazing article written by R.C Sproul that can be found here:
One of the most dramatic moments in my life for the shaping of my theology took place in a seminary classroom. One of my professors went to the blackboard and wrote these words in bold letters: "Regeneration Precedes Faith."
These words were a shock to my system. I had entered seminary believing that the key work of man to effect rebirth was faith. I thought that we first had to believe in Christ in order to be born again. I use the words in order here for a reason. I was thinking in terms of steps that must be taken in a certain sequence. I had put faith at the beginning. The order looked something like this:
"Faith - rebirth -justification."
Take time to study this topic. Pray to God asking Him for wisdom and revelation whenever approaching the scriptures. He tells us that if any man lacks wisdom, he should ask God. May he bless you with understanding concerning the unfathomable riches of his grace and his mercy.
Friday, December 14, 2007
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