Regeneration and Knowledge

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:9

    This is a plain and simple declaration of God. Those who have God given faith in Christ for all their salvation, have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them. Although men may have learned some truth intellectually, it is not possible to have spiritual life, or love and embrace the truth of God, apart from the regenerating work of God the Spirit indwelling the believer upon conversion. This miraculous work of omnipotence is the effectual impartation of the life (Spirit) of Christ to dead sinners, which is—Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).

    Not taking away from the importance, yea, the necessity of sound doctrine, I believe there is far too much emphasis placed and pressed upon poor sinners as to what we know, rather than who we know. It is not what we know that is of life giving efficacy, it is vital union with the Son of God, who is our life—I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (Jn 17:23). By God’s grace, I am determined to press upon men to come to Christ, to look to him in whom all truth is revealed, received, and embraced by the power of his blessed Spirit. There seems to be great satisfaction by many when men give mental accent to doctrinal truth. However, in the Scriptures and in the experience of grace, there is life, hope, joy, peace, and rest only in knowing Christ by his blessed Holy Spirit, which he has given us.

    What I am saying is this: If the Lord Jesus Christ dwells in me by his Spirit, I have eternal life, which is his life. If Christ does not live in me by his Spirit, I am still dead in trespasses and sin, and do not know Him, no matter how much I know. The most evident effect of Christ in you is love! Love for Christ, love for his Gospel, and love for the brethren. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 Jn 4:7—8).