JPalmer
134 posts Location:
Plainfield
United States |
03/04/2015 10:18the washing of regenerationRESPONSIVE READING: Titus 3
5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
From the 1828 Webster’s:
REGENERA'TION, noun
1. Reproduction; the act of producing anew.
2. In theology, new birth by the grace of God; that change by which the will and natural enmity of man to God and his law are subdued, and a principle of supreme love to God and his law, or holy affections, are implanted in the heart.
He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5.
Regeneration feels like such a modern word to me, and yet for the whole of mortal existence it has been sought. Many books and movies—and usually the best biographies—are about overcoming past mistakes and remaking lives in a meaningful way. It seems that we seek fulfillment through regeneration our whole lives, and often that leads us on a million digressions.
I chased many mirages in that journey, but it wasn’t until after putting aside my agendas—how I thought it should go—and my pride, that I asked God for help, and He helped me take my first right step. Learning the right idea of God, and all these lessons that Christian Science is bringing, has helped me to understand that the only true regeneration is through God. Anything else was just me fooling myself.
I am so grateful to be here, learning about Christian Science, and how to truly love and live for God.
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Susanne
174 posts Location:
United States |
03/04/2015 11:25Re: the washing of regeneration I chased many mirages in that journey, but it wasn’t until after putting aside my agendas—how I thought it should go—and my pride, that I asked God for help...
Thank you Jeremy for your testimony. I feel that for me the "washing of regeneration" or the "new birth" finally came when I obeyed God in a way I never did before, because I was stubborn and hoping that some of God's laws could just be kind of set aside… and through C.S. I would be somehow off the hook. How delusional!
It was only here at Plainfield with its strong teaching that I was finally set free. Ironically, the "freedom" outside of obeying God is actually very terrible bondage.
I truly feel like a new person, and the more I find myself working for God--striving to keep God at the center of my thoughts and everything I do--the more wonderful life is! Every day I thank God for all that He has done and for the Plainfield Church because I truly have been saved!
"…but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration…" This is so wonderful. I pray that all may be saved in this way--like the young people in Benjamin Ndukwe's article "The Youth"--a wonderful illustration of this.
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