Born of the Spirit of God.

He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he can not sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:7-9

We tend to use our own experiences to be the measuring line to judge the word of God and others. And we have at times have misapplied “with my mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:25 And our spirit is born again and yet we live in a fallen body, in a state of sin. Therefore have made allowances for sin to persist in our lives. Attributing the allowance given to babes in Christ to be a standard of living for those who ought to be spiritual. It is not that we walk perfect all the time, but for us to clearly perceive the bar is set to sinless, and if any should stumble we have an Advocate.

“I write to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

Now when he says, he who continues to sin is of the devil, this is to be received as one who is still in the flesh and not in the Spirit. That the seed that is in him continues to bare fruit to death. Then the issue being addressed is a matter of nature. The Lord also giving us warnings, that in the coming day some will be caught unaware:

“Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of haven, but he who does the will of My Father in haven. And many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name…? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'” Matthew 7:21-23

And James also teaches saying: “You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble! James 2:19

Then if it is a matter of nature, then the question becomes, do you know it? Are you born again, born of the Spirit of God?

There is lessons to be taken from the teaching of election in Romans 9:6-13 and its application in the church. Paul taught saying, “not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring.” Romans 9:7 Ishmael was born of Abraham and did bare the mark of circumcision, yet he was not considered to be the child of God, but a child of his flesh. While Isaac who was of the promise, was counted as the seed. Paul also gives further merit to election, by illustrating his point through, Esau and Jacob. That, without neither of them doing anything good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election may stand, Rebecca was told “the older shall sever the younger.” that it may not be of works but of Him who calls. Making distinction between works and grace. The point we are trying to draw in relation is that not all who say ‘Lord, Lord’ are born of the Spirit of God. 

Our healing may be perceived in same manner as our salvation. Many christians believe the word that “the Lord has born all our sickness and by His strips we are healed.” yet still walk in sickness. The truth of the word has not yet become a reality, that it may brings forth the manifestation of it. Born again could be perceived in the same manner. It is not a matter of giving just a mental assent, and seeking to shape our world according to our own expectations, to fit our way of life. But to persist in His word, until His seed takes root and bares fruit in you and you are born of God, assent giving way to knowledge. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:16

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has a witness in himself;” 1 John 5:9-10

We might be well instructed about what it means to be born again, but the reality of it is when the Spirit Himself bares witness within us. There are many examples of those who have spent a life time, knowing of the Lord, have been devoted to ritual and forms of religion yet were still in the dark, until they were born again and had the witness within themselves. The Spirit of God must bare witness. Jesus speaking of the testimony of the Holy Spirit and of man said “….there is One who bares witness of Me, and His testimony is true. You have sent to John and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say this things that you may be saved.” John 6:32-34 Though there may be a testimony of men, instructions and teachings but the testimony of God is greater. And anyone who has this testimony within him, does not keep on sinning nor make allowance for it. Because the Seed of God abides in Him, baring fruit to righteousness.

The issue then is not doctrinal differences or a matter of strength of faith, nor is it the lack of understanding of Scripture or the magnitude of God’s grace, but the same old factor of Nature. Born of the Word & Spirit or born of the flesh. Paul says the natural man can not comprehend the things of the Spirit of God.

All things are lawful to me, but not all things are helpful. 1 Corinthians 6:12

The application of this verse may be better understood if we look at it by contrasting its relation to the spiritual man with the natural man. If, “he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is not rightly judged by no one.” 1 Corinthians 2:15 Then the conscience of the spiritual person is not determined by the scruples or liberty of another but according to the revelation of the Holy Spirit at work in him. We ourselves being the judge. If we do anything with offence, without coming to the strength of faith, that becomes a stumbling block or sin to us. “To him who considers anything to be unclean to him it is unclean.” and “Whatever is not of faith is sin” Romans 14:14,23 Then the spiritual man is not subject to any, as such “all things are made lawful,” yet he lives a life according to the teaching of the Spirit that is at work in him. Therefore if you live by the Spirit you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

However, If you are in the flesh, then you are lawless, then not all things are lawful, because you are still under sin therefore under the law. Since the law is given to the lawless and not to the righteous. Then the issue becomes, when one who is still in the flesh, seeks justification through the application of “all things made lawful.” Then by natural interpretation of what is spiritual, he has made Christ a minister for sin. That is using what is spiritual for the fulfilment of the desires of the flesh. 

Therefore being born of the Spirit of God, is not a means by which we observe a law, that is from without, written on tablet of stone, and conformity to it. But something that emanates from our very being, the law written on our heart. Jesus also taught saying, “A good man out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasures brings forth evil things. Matthew 12:35 Then if you walk in the fulfilment of the law of God written in your heart, then it is not a struggle to observe but the life of God flowing from within you.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take out your heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” Ezekiel 36:25-27

Then having a promise of God such as this, we have no need to search out the boundaries of His grace, but a life of quite assurance that He Himself will work all things in us.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24