BORN INTO
- UnstoppableRevKev
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
📖Scripture:
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." — 1 Corinthians 12:13
🔎Examination:
Regeneration does not end in private piety; it culminates in corporate holiness. The participle “having purified” (hēgnikotes, perfect active) indicates a completed work with continuing effect — the saint’s ongoing obedience to the truth. The passive new birth (v. 23) births the active pursuit of purity (v. 22).
There is no regeneration apart from incorporation into the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit's work of rebirth (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5) unites the elect to Christ and His Church, never fostering isolation. In hostile regions like Afghanistan, Iran, or North Korea, where conversion to Christianity is outlawed and punishable by death (cf. Acts 8:1-3; Heb. 11:36-38), born-again saints may be forced into solitude, hiding their faith to survive. Yet, this is vastly different from the malaise of indifference in the West toward the local church, which is rebellion against Christ, the Head (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18).
True regeneration produces familial and agape-love for the saints (1 Peter 1:22), as Jesus declared: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This love manifests in gathering (Heb. 10:24-25), growing (Eph. 4:15-16), giving (2 Cor. 9:7), and going (Matt. 28:19-20) as devoted members of Christ’s Body.
Indifference to the Church betrays a heart unchanged by the Gospel, for “whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20). Yet modern nominalism (apathy) treats church membership as optional — a consumer’s choice, not a covenantal identity. This is not regeneration but rebellion. The regenerate saint builds up the Body; the unregenerate uses and abuses her. Christ’s church is not a hobby; it's our home... She is His beautiful and spotless Bride!
Obedience to the truth also means confrontation with error. Love is not silence in the face of sin. The apostles’ letters bristle with rebuke because purity protects unity. Paul demanded the church expel unrepentant immorality (1 Cor. 5:13). Peter urged saints to put away hypocrisy and deceit (1 Pet. 2:1). The modern pulpit’s fear of offense is overt cowardice (Rev 21:8) disguised as compassion. True love warns of eternal consequences.
Regeneration always manifests in truth-driven love — not sentimental tolerance. The purified heart loves fervently (ektenōs — stretched to the limit). Such love is patient yet unflinching, gracious yet grounded. It proclaims Christ crucified even when culture mocks and apostate pulpits compromise.
🤺Action:
Test your devotion to the local church (2 Cor. 13:5). Are you passively consuming or actively contributing to its edification (Eph. 4:16)? Act on these biblical imperatives:
Pursue reconciliation with fervent love. If you have sinned against another, take the initiative to confess and seek forgiveness (Matt. 5:23-24; James 5:16). If another is offended without your sin, they must search Scripture, seek God’s counsel, and initiate restoration (Matt. 18:15). True love covers sins, not truth (1 Peter 4:8).
Speak truth in love as worship to the God of truth (John 17:17). Gracious speech, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6), may convict or offend but serves to correct (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Those offended by God’s Word are called to submit to the Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8), not demand comfort.
🧠Reflection:
Invite the Holy Spirit to deepen your love for Christ’s Body. Pray for courage to uphold truth with tenderness, to live as a purified member of the Bride awaiting her Groom. Let your prayer be that your life and church together would display the enduring beauty of the imperishable Word.
Click the following link for a short video version of today's post:
Blessings & love, Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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