13 - The New Birth

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When Faith Takes Root, God Brings New Life

After faith takes root in your soul, God’s Word works a second miracle—it’s so powerful Scripture calls it the new birth.

James puts it plainly:

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” (James 1:18)

Being born again isn’t just changing some habits or trying harder. It’s receiving a brand-new, spiritual life planted deep inside you by God’s Word, received through faith.

Peter adds:

“Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” (1 Peter 1:23)

The Seed Determines the Life

Think about seeds for a moment. Corn makes corn. Oranges make oranges. Same thing with the new birth.

The seed that brings this new life is God’s Word. It’s divine, never rots, and eternal.

The life it produces inside you is just the same—divine and eternal.

John said this about new life:

“His seed remains in him…and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (1 John 3:9)

John isn’t saying believers never stumble. But the new nature, born from God’s perfect seed, simply can’t produce sin.

Paul talked about this “new man”—the holy nature given when you’re born again—versus the “old man” who keeps chasing sin.

Victory comes when that new man is in charge. Defeat comes when the old man sneaks back.

What It Means in a Nutshell

Once you are born again, you carry within you a new power to overcome sin. Those who aren’t born again are trapped in sin by nature.

Spiritual Nourishment — Milk for New Believers

Where new life grows, new hunger follows. Babies need milk. Birds need grain. Calves need grass.

Spiritually, new believers’ first need is pure milk—the Bible’s basic truths.

Peter tells us:

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2)

But watch out! Milk won’t do if it’s spoiled.

Peter warns us to leave behind malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil talk—old habits that sour your spiritual appetite.

Growing Up in God’s Word — Bread for the Mature

God doesn’t want us crawling forever.

As we grow, He offers bread—stronger, more substantial truth to strengthen us for service:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Notice “every word.” Maturity means studying the whole Bible, not just favorite passages.

George Müller, famous for his faith, read the Bible multiple times every year—no wonder he bore so much fruit.

Too many Christians stay in spiritual infancy, knowing some parts of the Bible but ignoring others.

Solid Food for the Mature

Hebrews gives a challenge:

“You need milk and not solid food…solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12–14)

The cure for spiritual babyhood? Consistent study and applying God’s Word, until you grow sharp discernment.

Reflection Questions

• Have you experienced the new birth that God’s Word brings? How do you know?
  

• What stage are you in now—milk, bread, or solid food?
  

• Are there sour attitudes in your life that could be spoiling God’s nourishment?
  

• How can you deepen your Bible study to embrace “every word” God has spoken?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for giving me new life through Your eternal Word. Nourish me with milk, then bread, and finally solid food until I grow mature in faith. Cleanse my heart from anything that spoils my appetite for Your truth. Teach me to live as the new man, ruled by Your Word, with victory over sin. Amen.

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