TULIP GEMS

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

Without this second birth, sinful, fallen men CANNOT SEE (perceive) the kingdom of God.  They are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.  It takes a spiritual making alive through the new birth for anyone to see the LIGHT (truth) of Messiah in the Gospel (Good News).

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, 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.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is BORN OF THE SPIRIT is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”   (John 3:4-7)  (Emphasis mine)

Real repentance unto life and saving faith in Christ are GIFTS of the Spirit of God.  They are given to each of God's elect at the time of his (or her) new birth.  The elect hear the Gospel and believe -- not always at the first hearing, but at the divinely appointed time. 

If the non-elect hear the Gospel, they disbelieve.  This is not because they lack sufficient evidence, but because their inward nature is opposed to holiness.  The elect are NOT born again BECAUSE they believe in Christ.  Just the opposite.

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