From "The Sovereignty of God" by Arthur Pink
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
In the new birth, God exerts a quickening influence or power upon His own elect. Regeneration is very, very much more than simply shedding a few tears because of some temporary remorse over sin. It is far more than changing our course of life, the leaving off of bad habits and the substituting of good ones. It is something different from the mere cherishing and practicing of noble ideals. It goes infinitely deeper than coming forward to take some popular evangelist by the hand, signing a pledge-card, or "joining the church." The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf--but is the inception and reception of a new life! It is no mere reformation, but a radical transformation. In short, the new birth is a miracle--the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting!
Thanks for the post from Pink! I think many Christians, myself included, forget that they have been radically transformed and stop living like a new creation not only "by God" but "for God". Eric's baptism on Sunday was a great reminder that God is active and persistent in His great plan of redemption!
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