The person who truly believes on Jesus begins eternal life here on earth. He leaves the old sinful life of serving self and enters a new life of freedom from the bondage of sin. He is free to serve the Lord. As he walks with God and is faithful, he has the promise that this new life will continue right into heaven.
With the spiritual resurrection, there comes a new power, new interests, new joys, and a new hope. God does not intend for this new life to grow old. It cannot, for it is of Him. The Christian is to walk (continue) in newness of life by abiding in Christ. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2).
The spiritual birth is marked by a new nature. This is a divine nature (1 Pet. 1:4). A few of the characteristics of this new nature are a soft and tender spirit, a humble evaluation of one’s worth, and a heartfelt knowledge of one’s helplessness and need of the Lord. Such a humble and contrite spirit is precious in God’s sight (Ps. 51:17). When Saul was anointed king of Israel, he had this spirit. Sad to say, Saul later lost that state of being little. Samuel asked him, “When thou was little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel…?” (1 Sam. 15:17). The challenge of every Christian is to maintain the new, fresh spirit that he received at his conversion.
From the Editorial, Messenger of Truth, Volume 106, Number 23
