REGENERATION means being born again, a recreating or re-birthing.
It can refer to conversion, in which a person puts his trust in Jesus and becomes a reborn child of God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3
REGENERATION can also refer to God’s restoration of the Kingdom of God and of Israel and the recreation of Heaven and Earth.
So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Mt 19:28-29
However, regeneration has a wider meaning.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
The word here is WHAT-ever, not WHO-ever. Some translations get it wrong. Only the person WHO is born again overcomes the world but that is only part of it. Many born again believers live defeated lives, defeated by family problems, financial problems, workplace problems and health problems.
So what does it mean that WHAT-ever is born again overcomes the world?
When the great classical musician, Frederick Handel, was advanced in years, struggling financially and in poor health, he received a commission to write the oratorio, THE MESSIAH, a musical feast with scripture set to music for choir and orchestra, entirely focussed on glorifying Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Handel set himself apart to receive heavenly inspiration and to compose his greatest masterpiece. He said it was as if heaven opened and the music poured down. Yet the music did not all descend directly from heaven. Handel was also inspired to adapt music he had previously written for Italian opera, yet the whole work fitted perfectly together as if designed in Heaven. When the King of England attended a performance, the great Alleluia chorus rang out.
The King stood to his feet and everyone else also stood, as is the custom in the presence of a king. From that day to the present, Handel’s Messiah has been performed before Christmas every year around the world. Handel’s inspired music was born of God and it overcame the world.
Jackie Pullinger was a young English woman who longed to do something great for God. She wanted to be a missionary overseas but no church and no Christian organisation would accept her application. Finally she spoke to a wise pastor who encouraged her. She bought a ticket and boarded a ship travelling to Asia. She went on until she reached Hong Kong and she looked around. She found a terrible slum area ruled by violent gangs and drug dealers. The only industries were drug dealing and prostitution. She felt the touch of God’s love calling her to stay. Appointed only by God and not by any Christian church or missionary society, she began to serve the people with the power of God. Today there is a Christian mission there and the darkness has been banished from that area. Jackie Pullinger’s mission was born of God and overcame the world.
God wants you and me to not only be born again but to give birth to His wonderful plans. Dare to be like Mary who conceived the Son of God and gave birth to the Saviour of the world. Dare to be like Frederick Handel and Jackie Pullinger!
What is your gift? What is your calling? What is your hope? What is your desire? What is your dream? Why not just go for it?
Start small if you must but don’t stop there. Be led by the Spirit of God like the saints of the past and the often unsung heroes of today.
