Tuesday: Believing and New Birth

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 26th of November 2024

John wrote his Gospel so that we would believe in Jesus and that by believing we may have eternal life in His name (John 20:31). In John 1:12-13, this process is described in two steps. First, we receive Him, that is, believe in Him. Second, He gives us authority or power to become God’s children, described in verse 13 as being begotten by God. Thus, there is a human and divine aspect of becoming a Christian. We must act in belief, receive Him, and be open to the light, but He is the one who regenerates the heart.

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

In fact, faith itself is a gift of God that comes by hearing His Word (Romans 10:17). “In order to have true, abiding faith in Christ, we must know Him as He is represented in the word.”—Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 433. “The Spirit operating upon and enlightening the human mind, creates faith in God.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 940.

Those who believe or accept the Son as the Messiah receive everlasting life. John also emphasizes accepting or believing the Word that Jesus spoke (John 5:24,38,47). It is the role of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction (John 16:7-8; compare with Romans 8:16).

Faith, biblical faith, based on the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, is the foundation of our faith. “Faith is . . . the great blessing—the eye that sees, the ear that hears.”—Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p. 104. The humanistic approach to faith states that we must find a foundation, the criteria for faith, and then believe. In contrast, the biblical approach states that faith is the foundation, a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 1:17-24, 1 Corinthians 2:1-6). We start with the foundation of faith, and then from there we grow in understanding and grace.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-09-believing-and-new-birth/