Talking about Regeneration

Yesterday in Sunday School, we discussed the nature of Christian faith: what does it mean to have “faith,” and the different aspects of Christian faith (saving faith, intellectual assent, etc.).  At one point in the discussion, Hebrews 11:24-26 came up:

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

This, along with other passages, got me thinking about the way atheists tend to perceive what it means for a person to become a Christian.  In their eyes, it’s all about giving up material possessions, worldly ambitions, sensual pleasures in order to follow a set of rules, or emulate the life of a guy that lived 2,000 years ago in a different culture.  It seems to them unnatural.  They think of the Christian as someone who daily agonizes over the things he or she has set aside in order to live this life of faith. For the atheist, the Christian is trapped, locked into a lifestyle and mindset that, deep down, they long to be free from, and to express themselves as “nature” intended.

This picture couldn’t be further from the truth.  Most atheists fail to appreciate (largely because they dismiss the supernatural, or “non-material”) that Christian conversion entails a change of heart.  It means the death of the “old man” and the birth of the “new man.”  When Christians speak of conversion as “regeneration,” or being “born again,” this is exactly what they mean.  Christian conversion is not a matter of waking up one morning and resolving to live life differently.  It’s not about being convinced by argument to adopt a particular set of rules.  It is about being radically changed by the Spirit of God so that you see the things of this world in a different light.  Material needs don’t seem to be as necessary; sensual delights lose their luster; and instead of despising the things of God, your greatest desire is to know Him more and live a life that pleases Him.

Imagine, if you will, Joe and Jennifer.  Joe knows of Jennifer, but doesn’t really care too much about her.  He likes to party, hang out with some disreputable characters, and womanize.  Jennifer is quiet, and doesn’t “drink, smoke, or chew, or hang with those that do.”  Then, one day, for reasons that might make for a compelling novel, Joe falls hopelessly and deeply in love with Jennifer.  His heart is completely changed by this.  Now, Joe knows enough about Jennifer to know what kind of a girl she is and what kind of life she leads.  Does Jennifer need to give Joe a list of rules and requirements?  No–the desire of Joe’s heart is to please Jennifer, and so he will do whatever he must to satisfy this new desire.  And it brings him joy to so, because it brings joy to the person he loves most.  He might even go to Jennifer and ask her what he might do, or not do, that she may be happy!

There are guys out there that will want to slap Joe over the head and tell him not to be a sap.  Perhaps they’re right. 🙂  But this is just an illustration that attempts (albeit inadequately) to get across what Christian conversion is really about.  The sacrifices a person makes when they become a Christian may not always be easy; but to the Christian, whose heart is devoted to the Beloved, they are worth it.  Indeed, what else would they do?  John’s Gospel records a scene after the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus preaches to the gathered crowd.  At the end of His message (and a brief “Q&A”), everyone but His disciples walks away.  His words are too hard for people to accept.  Jesus asks His disciples if they intend to leave Him too.  Peter’s response is profound:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

The disciples might well have also struggled with the things Jesus said.  We aren’t told.  What we do know is that their hearts were so consumed with their Lord, that they could do nothing other than stay with Him.  They could have walked away.  In fact, their credibility probably took a hit with the crowd because they didn’t walk away.  But they were willing to suffer whatever slings and arrows might come their way because of their love for their Lord.

If you’re an atheist, I ask that you give some thought to this.  When you critique Christians, are you sure you really understand their motive?  The Christian does good because it pleases the One who is goodness, and Who defines what is good.  What motivates you? (Reminder: I moderate the Comments–so be polite.)