Regeneration Rest

Regeneration Rest

Ephesians 5:15-16 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

This week we are considering how we can redeem the time through intentional rest. Today, we will look at regeneration rest. God's plan of redemption entailed Jesus doing that which neither the law nor we could do.

Jesus labored on the cross in our place: Romans 8:3-4 "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Jesus finished the work He was sent to accomplish:John 17:4 "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do."

Not until we are regenerated (made alive in our spirit) will we know true rest:Titus 3:4-7 "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

When we embrace an accurate understanding of the sufficiency of the cross and the unmerited nature of grace, we will begin to experience the peace and rest of God:Romans 4:5-6 "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works."

Until we know for sure our salvation hope, I don't believe we can experience genuine rest in our spirit. If you are reading this today, and are uncertain what I mean by "God's plan of redemption" or "regeneration" or "salvation hope," let me encourage you to email me and ask how you, too, may know for sure that the work of Christ on the cross has been credited to your account. Apart from Jesus Christ you cannot know eternal life; you cannot, will not, go to heaven. Only Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross is necessary AND sufficient for salvation. He said there is no other way. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:16

For those of you that already have experienced the regeneration of your spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are one step closer to knowing true, abiding, redemptive rest. -- Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PAMonday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America's Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America's Keswick, Whiting, NJ

For more information go to our website www.americaskeswick.org, "Keswick Today."