5. You are light. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Eph. 5:8, NIV).
Notice how Paul brings regeneration and sanctification together: “You are light.” That’s regeneration. “Live as…light.” That’s sanctification. You can’t live as light, unless you are light.
6. You have been set free from sin. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
Many Christians would say, “You don’t understand; I sin and fail in many ways. I’m not set free from sin yet.” Paul says, “Wait a minute! You have been set free from sin.” He’s writing to ordinary Christians like us. Sin is still your enemy, but it is no longer your master. You can fight against temptation. That’s why there is hope for you.
7. You have been born again. You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Pet. 1:23).
You can’t be a little born or half born. Either you are born or you are not born. Regeneration doesn’t happen in stages. You can be a little in love, but you cannot be a little married. Sanctification is like being a little in love. Regeneration is like being married. Either you are or you aren’t. You cannot be a little regenerated.
Regeneration is the complete transformation that begins a continuing process called sanctification. The great truth of sanctification is that “God is changing me.” The great truth of regeneration is that “God has changed me.” We need both.
Take a moment to thank God for an aspect of regeneration in your life. Which one?
