5. But isn't God the One leading me into repentance?

When you believe that only those people will be saved who were predestinated by God and that everybody else will be lost, it is possible that you become passive or even indifferent ("there is nothing I can do about it anyway; it all depends on God"), or you become very desperate and even fearful ("if I am not chosen, I will never be saved, no matter how often I pray"; "'if I'm not chosen, I will end up in hell"). This is a deception of the devil. God doesn't say you have to wait (passively) for Him to convert you; God calls you to (actively) repent. 

To repent: this is something you must do (and in hindsight you will recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in this).

Rebirth: this is God's work in you. You cannot do this yourself.

Rebirth is the reviving and the renewing of your heart, which is God's work in you.

  • Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
  • John 1:12,13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  • Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God.
  • 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

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