I know that many of you have heard that "Regeneration Precedes Faith", and you have paused, perhaps, thinking that the order should be reversed, however, it is a true statement.  Regeneration does precede Faith.  There are debates about the subject online as well as elsewhere.  Lets look at a few key verses....

You will notice in John 6, starting with verse 35, Jesus is in dispute with some Jews and he indicates that (even though he preaches to them) they do not believe in him because the Father has not thus moved them to believe... They do not have a desire for Jesus and his teaching.  Jesus says, (verse 44), "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me DRAWS him...."  The Father has to draw the person toward Christ before the person can come to Christ and then believe in Christ.  The Natural man/person has no desire for the high things of Jesus.  It is true that one can come to God with use of logic and facts, for example, one can study the Cosmological argument for God and know by common sense that God exists, but he/or she will still not be inclined to Jesus Christ for Salvation.  God has to draw (move) the person; he has to "quicken" the person inwardly. The Spiritually dead person must be helped by God! This is roughly what is meant by "regeneration". 

God is both the author and finisher of our Faith!  It is his work completely.  God chooses you.  You don't choose God!  I touch a we bit on the theological term Monergism, but I believe this is a good point to cut it off.

If you study the works of the great reformers you will find that this is also their position, although they may put it in their own style.  John Calvin in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion", mentions it also. I should add that Louis Berkhof, in his Systematic Theology goes fairly deeply into this subject and distinguishes Regeneration and the Effectual calling.

God bless

Pastor Steve

Tags: Salvation Life Faith Jesus Christ God

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