Regeneration

It's pretty remarkable how much one can learn from younger people when we just take to humility to listen and reflect on their words. In hanging out and conversing with 11th grade guys, a buddy and I were trying to instill and teach precious Truths to these fellows so that those very Truths will be used to change lives. As I am recalling things which I desired to share one thing important came to mind. I found it so interesting that it seemed to either be the only thing we really harped on or what we were talking about always came to light in this Truth.
This doctrine of Truth is that of Regeneration. Listening to many sermons and messages in the short life I think I have lived (though my body feels it has been much longer) I have heard very few sermons on this. Though I can't help but see it has oh so vital for salvation, as the Scriptures so expose. In reading through Ezekiel, it is screamed from the ink on the pages. The people awaited this New Covenant that which was to sprinkle (Hebrew: toss) with clean water take out the heart of stone and but in the heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:25-27). This was so that we COULD walk in His statues and obey His commandments. I can't help but to think of John 3 in this case where Nicodemus asks Jesus how we are born again. Jesus answers him, "Truly, Truly i say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."(ESV) Paul says that we are new creatures. The essential element of salvation is not what most of the American Church has made it out to be. It is not merely behavioral change but nature revolution.
I used this analogy: Imagine a pig in the sty eating slop. That pig enjoys what he is chowing down on. God then comes along and regenerates that pig to a human. The once pig now human will realize what has been his diet and it will now be of filth to him. He could feel guilt, shame, a sense of what he was and what he is now could and should respond in worship of the one who changed him. The human now goes and consumes food that which is good and pleasing to a human. He or she can time to time return to the slop but eventually that produces shame and no satisfaction.
This is the beauty of it. RC Sproul says it like this,"God saves us for himself, from himself, and by himself." There is so much theology backed into Jonah 2:9 which says,"Salvation belongs to the LORD." (ESV).
The last part of the text of Ezkiel 36 plays over into chapter 37. When God takes dead, dry bones and brings them to life. I can't help but notice the beautiful parrallel drawn from Ephesians 2. When God takes that which is dead in its trespasses and sin and gives it life in Jesus Christ.
Now let us reflect and give praise to the God who has given life to that which was dead