The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit - EXPERIENCING THE "NEW BIRTH"

When the holy spirit imparts this conviction, the Christian who is anointed undergoes tremendous changes.  Jesus referred to this inner process as being "born again," or being  "born from above." (John 3:3, 5) He explained further:  "Do not be amazed because I told you:  You people must be born again.  The wind blows where it wants to , and you hear the sound of it,m but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who has been born from the spirit."  (John 3:7, 8)   Clearly, it is impossible to explain fully this personal calling to those who have experienced it. 

Those who have been invited in such a manner may wonder:  'Why have I been selected?  Why me and not someone else?'  They may even question their own worthiness.  But they do not question the fact that they have been invited.  Their hearts  are bursting with  joy and appreciation.  They feel much as Peter did  when he said under inspiration:  "Praised be  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according  to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance. It is reserved in the heavens for you."  (1 Peter 1:3, 4) When anointed  ones read those words, they know without  any doubt whatsoever that their heavenly Father is speaking to them personally. 

Before receiving this personal witness from God's spirit, these Christians cherished an earthly hope.  They longed for the time when Jehovah would cleanse this earth, and they wanted to be a part of that  blessed future.  Perhaps they even pictured themselves  welcoming back their loved ones from the grave.  They look forward to living in the homes that they built and eating the fruitage of trees they planted.  (Isaiah 65:21-23)  Why did their thinking change?  They did not become dissatisfied  with that hope. They did not change their mind because of emotional stress or turmoil.  They did give up on this earth, as if they suddenly felt that they would find living forever on earth to be tiresome or boring; nor did they merely want to explore some new frontier in heaven.   Rather, they changed because of the operation of God's spirit that only called, or invited, them but also changed their thinking and hope.  

should we conclude, then, that these anointed ones want to die?  Paul was inspired to answer this way:  "In fact, we who are in this tent groan, being weighed down, because we do not want  to put this one off, but we want to  put the other on, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."  (2 Corinthians 5:4)  They have not lost interest  in this life, wanting it to end quickly. On the contrary, they are eager to use each day in Jehovah's service together with friends and relatives. Yet, no matter what they are doing, they cannot help but remember the glorious hope that they have for the future. -1 Corinthians 15:53; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2, 3; Revelation 20:6.

Next time:  The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit - HAVE YOU BEEN CALLED?

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