In John 3: 5 Jesus said, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven." The word cannot is a term of ability not permission. It is that man is unable to enter heaven of his own initiative, desire or decision. The ability is given by God.
James 1: 18, In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, first fruits among His creatures.
1 Peter 1: 23...for you have been born again not of corruptible seed (seed which is perishable) but imperishable, that is, through the living, abiding word of God.
It is not the exercise of man't will but the exercise of God's will that causes someone to be born again. He brought us forth just as Jesus did when He called Lazarus out of the tomb. It is not the perishable, corrupt seed- man's seed- but the imperishable, living, abiding word of God that makes someone come to life spiritually- be born again.
Man cannot enter into heaven unless he is born again and man cannot make himself be born again. This leaves us with the same question that Jesus desciples asked Him in Matt. 19: 25- "Who then can be born again- saved?" and Jesus' response was, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Man does not have the ability within himself to choose God- it is impossible. It is God who chooses, God who brings to life in the exercise of His sovereign will by the living abiding word of God!!!!
So when it happens in us it is because He brought it about. It may appear on the surface that we have made a choice or a decision but the reality of it is that He made us see, hear, understand, believe, and respond to Him. He alone deserves the credit and the glory of what He has done in us and so...
to the praise of the glory of His matchless grace- we worship Him!!!!
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