New Birth-An Act of God

“God’s act in bringing about the new birth is the bringing into being of a believer where once there was only spiritual deadness and unbelief. The reason that the new birth is God’s creation of a believer is that this new creation happens through the word of God (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18)- through the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit, creates spiritual understanding and faith where once there was blindness and unbelief. It does this as a narrative of historical events -the cross and the resurrection that reveal the glory of Jesus Christ ( 2 Cor. 4:4-6). This narrative is the power of God bringing about the new birth and awaking faith (Romans 1:16).

Therefore, the new birth does not come through a mantra or anything like it. It comes as a God-given, clear-headed, conscious embrace of the historical person Jesus Christ as the Savior, Lord, and Treasure of our life. And because of that I can—and I do— appeal to you: Look at him in the gospel—the story of his life and death and resurrection and what they mean for your life. See his glory and his truth. Receive him and believe in his name. And you will be a child of God.”

John Piper, Finally Alive