New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You're Born Again and Why It Matters

by Dr. Steven J. Lawson; Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson

Publisher:

Baker

, 2020

The single most important event in a person's life is the new birth. Yet, this is also one of the most neglected doctrines in the church. Many Christians would be hard-pressed to describe exactly what the new birth is, let alone what it means to the rest of their walk with God. What happens when we are born again? Does everything in our lives change immediately? Is it just a kind of spiritual do-over, a chance to get it right this time? What happens when we fail? Does it mean we weren't really born again to begin with?

With a pastor's heart and a professor's insight, Steven Lawson carefully examines the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus found in John 3 to uncover the nature of this spiritual rebirth. He shows you the necessity of the new birth, how God changes our hearts through it, and what follows after, from baptism and involvement in a local church to handling doubts and setbacks. This book is perfect for believers who want to understand what happened when they believed and for non-Christians who are curious about what a new life in Christ is all about.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Being born again means that God implants divine life within our spiritually dead heart. It is the life-giving act of God, whereby He causes us to be birthed into His family. It means that by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, we are dramatically transformed in the core of our being. When we are born anew, we are made alive to God. In the new birth, God gives us new life that only He can give.” (Page 15)

“To believe in Jesus Christ is a decisive act of the will by which a person commits his or her life to Him. Believing in Jesus means entrusting our life to Him in humble submission. It involves surrendering our life to Him as our Lord and submitting to His supreme authority. It necessitates denying ourselves and following Him. Anyone who becomes a child of God does so by believing in Jesus Christ.” (Page 19)

“This new birth gives personal knowledge of God by creating spiritual life within the heart. The accompanying changes include a new desire for God and a passion for His word. Simply put, being born of God is divine life within the soul.” (Page 17)

“God must cause a person to be born again, which, in turn, produces saving faith. It is the new birth that enables us to receive Jesus Christ into our life. The decisive factor in anyone coming to faith in Christ, John explains, is that they are ‘born . . . of God’ (v. 13). This refers not to our physical birth but to our spiritual birth.” (Page 20)

“Our old heart of stone, once hardened toward God, is removed. In its place, a new heart of flesh is implanted within our inner person. This gives our heart a spiritual pulse that is alive to God.” (Pages 20–21)

Product Details

• Title : New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You're Born Again and Why It Matters
• Authors:
  • Lawson, Steven J.
  • Ferguson, Sinclair
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 2020
• ISBN: 9781493421480

About the Authors

Steven J. Lawson (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary) is president of OnePassion Ministries, a ministry designed to bring about biblical reformation in the church today by teaching and preaching the Word of God and training others to do likewise. Lawson is the professor of preaching at The Master's Seminary, where he is also dean of the doctor of ministry program and serves on the board of directors. A teaching fellow and board member of Ligonier Ministries, he is also the executive editor of Expositor magazine. Lawson is a regular speaker at conferences such as the Shepherds' Conference and the Ligonier National Conference, and his preaching has taken him across the country and around the world. The author of 27 books, Lawson lives in Dallas, Texas.