The Cost: of Rebirth
What does it take to be saved? What must a person do to participate in the kingdom of God? Must they be willing to move to an unknown destination? Must they be well-versed in the Scriptures? Knowing the Word of God and obeying the commands of God are things that believers do. But they do not make a person a believer. Abraham was not made righteous because he did the right thing when God called. Righteousness was credited to his account because he believed God. Yet, even this faith is not something we can muster up on our own. Like Nicodemus, we must be born again, this time of the Spirit. This rebirth and renewal, where simple trust in God is created, is a gift of God. It is not something we can do for ourselves (Eph. 2:8-9). Why does God do it? Because he loves the world and wants us to have eternal life. So he gives us his promises and a new birth, by grace through faith. By God’s great power, we have been made his beloved children.
