The concept of the "new birth," often referred to as being "born again," is a fundamental tenet of Christian theology, signifying a spiritual rebirth and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformation is evidenced by a life characterized by righteousness, as the believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and empowered to live in accordance with God's will.

Biblical Foundation

The term "born again" originates from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John. Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). This new birth is not a physical rebirth but a spiritual one, as Jesus further explains, "Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit" (John 3:6).

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes the transformative nature of the new birth, stating, "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). This new birth is initiated by the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a new creation in Christ.

Evidenced by Righteousness

The evidence of the new birth is a life marked by righteousness. The Apostle John writes extensively on this topic, asserting that those who are born of God will exhibit righteous behavior. "If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him" (1 John 2:29). This righteousness is not self-generated but is the result of the believer's union with Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

John further clarifies, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9). This does not imply sinless perfection but indicates a fundamental change in the believer's relationship with sin. The new birth results in a new nature that desires to please God and live according to His commandments.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the new birth and the subsequent life of righteousness. The Apostle Paul explains, "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-5). The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the believer, enabling them to live a life that reflects the character of Christ.

Paul also highlights the transformative work of the Spirit in the believer's life, stating, "For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth" (Ephesians 5:9). The fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, includes attributes such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, all of which are manifestations of a righteous life.

Practical Implications

The new birth and its evidence of righteousness have practical implications for the believer's daily life. The Apostle James emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith through righteous actions, stating, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). Genuine faith, resulting from the new birth, will naturally produce works of righteousness as an outward expression of an inward transformation.

Believers are called to pursue righteousness actively, as Paul exhorts Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). This pursuit is a lifelong journey, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the believer's identity as a new creation in Christ.

In summary, the new birth is a profound spiritual transformation that results in a life characterized by righteousness. This transformation is initiated by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a departure from sin and a pursuit of godly living. The believer, as a new creation, is called to reflect the righteousness of Christ in every aspect of life, empowered by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.1 John 2:29
If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Apostasy which Prepares the Way for the Antichrist.
... years the arising of the Sun of righteousness with healing ... The "falling away" is
evidenced on every hand ... upon the imperative necessity of the new birth, who set ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the apostasy which prepares.htm

On God's vineyard
... The new birth, therefore, is the first point of sanctification ... But this desire must
be evidenced by three marks ... In their favour he hath wrought a new thing in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

Its Meaning
... to no-condemnation may be evidenced by the ... account of the sacrifice and righteousness
of Christ ... connected, effectual calling or the new birth and justification ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/2 its meaning.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... Was it because they evidenced an earnestness and zeal in ... born again has, by virtue
of his new birth, been separated ... of God "moved." So it is in the new creation ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... Holy Ghost without measure, so he evidenced it by ... our righteousness does not exceed
the righteousness of the ... passed through the pangs of the new birth, and now ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... came to announce to Abraham the birth of Isaac ... of view the difference between the
New Testament and ... The circumstance that his superiority was evidenced by his ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Gospel of John
... ministers "transformed as the ministers of righteousness." Men who ... or repentance,
but of the New Birth, which is ... This miracle evidenced "the Word" at work again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of john.htm

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... propositional theology is in nothing better evidenced than by ... to be the prophets
of the new Evangelism, but ... circling energies of the reason, gives birth to a ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... These are instruments of the new birth. ... Think not that birth, or high parts, no,
nor even grace, will ... Their love is evidenced by their cost.2 1 Corinthians 12 ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 19, "The Son Can do Nothing of ...
... seen." [3744] If they are not seen, how are they evidenced to be? ... A new commandment
I ... Let charity give thee birth, let charity nourish thee; charity bring thee ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxvi on the words.htm

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