Overcoming – Faith and the New Birth

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

It is only by virtue of the new birth that faith is imparted to men and women to “see” the Kingdom of God. Faith is how we see spiritual realities. Hebrews 11:1 states that faith is the substance, or as Greek scholars describe, “the down payment” or essence of things now hoped for in those who believe.

Hebrews declares faith to be the illuminator of truth.

“Through faith we understand…”
Hebrews 11:3

By faith, we begin to fathom the work of God within us, to see the purposes and the nature of the Kingdom of God. It is here we realize the great changes required for us to not only see the Kingdom of God but more importantly to enter the Kingdom of God. These two experiences are vastly different.

There are and always will be those who are recipients of the new birth, those who rejoice in seeing the things of God, but this is as far as they go. Loved and cared for by their heavenly Father yet there is an aspect to seeing that satisfies and brings contentment.

However, Jesus did not stop at the mystery of the new birth and the seeing of the Kingdom of God. He continued on and so should we.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
John 3:5

There are two baptisms spoken of here: The Baptism of Water unto repentance and the Baptism of the Spirit unto an infusion of the power of God. These two essential works of God are emphasized by the word “except” expressing His non-negotiable requirement.

The Book of Hebrews reveals these solemn truths in chapter 6:

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
Hebrews 6:1-2

Those whose faith presses them to perfection (full maturity) do not rest in the work of justification, precious as it is. Justification is the unmerited work of salvation, and its ministration is free and available to all who call upon His name. It is the foundation from which we are forever delivered from “dead works”, free from the agonizing endeavor of justifying ourselves to others or to ourselves. How blessed are all who know this truth!

There are several words used in the scriptures that make clear justification by faith is the elementary work of God and not an end in itself. “Therefore leaving…” is the exhortation of God to continue to grow and develop in our walk with Him.

“Let us go on to perfection …”

May we feel the impress of faith to go deeper and further in our experience of the truths of God presented here. Many today deny that these further things are necessary for our walk with God. They claim to believe the whole word of God yet state that these truths are not for our day! How cunning and deceptive are the vain reasonings of religion; it will agree with the word but deny its application!

“Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”

Let us move on from this unto the further works of God. Too many of us are prone to live and fellowship in this one truth; continually revisiting this foundational work of God but failing to move on to deeper things.

Let these words speak to our faith (for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God).

1: “Leaving the principles“ (Greek: beginning, commencements) of the doctrine of Christ
2: “Let us go on to perfection” (full maturity; Ephesians 4:13)
3. “Not laying again“ (Greek: repetitively) the foundation of repentance

Let us shun the diluted teachings of today and read with an open heart the truth and the verity of God’s Word. May His Word be the foundation of our experience and let us not be moved by those who would rob us of our inheritance in Him.

“…let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome** when thou art judged”
Romans 3:4

How do we overcome amid the judgments of God? By believing His word over the words and teachings of men.

** Note: “And mightest overcome – In the Hebrew, “mightest be pure,” or mightest be esteemed pure, or just. The word which the Septuagint and the apostle have used, “mightest overcome,” is sometimes used with reference to litigations or trials in a court of justice. He that was accused and acquitted, or who was adjudged to be innocent, might be said to overcome or to gain the cause. The expression is thus used here. As if there were a trial between David and God, God would overcome; that is, would be esteemed pure and righteous in his sentence condemning the crime of David.”
– Albert Barnes