Of his own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth. –
James 1:18
God knew from the beginning that He would provide a way for the sinner to come back near Him again. Jesus the Messiah is that way – He is the Truth and His words are truth. Moses and the prophets had come before Him and bore witness of His coming (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus Himself “was born to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).
God has provided a new birth for every person who believes in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Those who have experienced this new birth know that God’s goodwill brought the “word of truth” to your mind, pressed it upon your conscience, and opened your heart to a conviction of your sin and your need for a Savior. Your trust in the truth of the Gospel is a sign of God’s matchless grace upon you.
Scripture, God’s truth, is where you see who God is and what He does, and the salvation He provides. It is meant also to be a mirror where you see the facts about yourself and your need for cleansing, the new birth. With new birth comes responsibility. The apostle Peter talks about being “sober-minded” and called to obedience, putting off malice, hypocrisy, and envy, and instead “loving one another earnestly” and conducting yourself under the fear of God (1 Peter 1:13-23).
Experiencing this new birth is a life-changing matter. The Gospel of Christ, working within you through the Holy Spirit, becomes a living and powerful force for good.
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