Riff's Christian Journal

Titus 3:5-6 KJV

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

It is said, “Regeneration always precedes faith.” The question, then, is why? Why must we need to be born again before we will have faith with which to believe in Jesus?

A good way to explain anything is to give or show a demonstration about what we are talking. The best example, here, would be the story of the death and raising of Lazarus.

Now Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha and they were all close friends of Jesus, and while Jesus was away Lazarus became sick and eventually died. Then Jesus took His disciples and went to where Lazarus was buried.

When Jesus arrived He took Mary and Martha, along with his disciples and all the mourners that were there to the tomb were Lazarus was buried.

Jesus had them roll away the stone, then yelled, “ Lazarus, come forth”. What happened next? What had to be done before Lazarus could respond? Think it through.

Ephesians 2:1 KJV

And you hath he quickened(made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:5 KJV

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

Colossians 2:13 KJV

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Yes, before Lazarus could respond he had to be given life. Just like you and I, when our name was called we, too, were dead, a spiritual death, albeit, but just as dead spiritually as Lazarus was physically, and we needed to be given life before we could respond to the call from Jesus to “Come forth”.

Not only are we saved (regeneration) by the Grace of God, we are also given the gift of faith by which we believe in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

As we read in Romans 10: 8 – 10, faith is already in our heart before we confess that Jesus is Lord.

Romans 10:8 KJV

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9 KJV

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10 KJV

For with the “heart” man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

To answer the question of, “Why must we need to be born again (regeneration) before we will have faith with which to believe in Jesus?”, the answer is simple. Unless we are first given life, “spiritual life”(regeneration), we would never be given the gift of faith with which to believe in Jesus and to proclaim Him Lord.

That is why “Regeneration Always Precedes Faith”. We first need to be saved (regeneration), by the Grace of God – Alone. Then given the gift of faith with which we believe in Jesus. Only then do we respond to the call of Jesus to “Come forth.”

By Grace are we saved.

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